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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Chap »„_**?Cttpyright No. 

Shell. *NfeL^V , J 

1^5 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



The Better V/ay 



-OR- 



Lessons in Wisdom, Truth, and Love 



A BOOK OF SIMPLE HELPS 

FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 



/ 



BY W, H. WHEELER 



: the Words of the Lord Jesus, "how He said: "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst 
after righteousness, for they shall be tilled. " 




OFFICE OF THE BETTER Wax — 
Grinnell, Iowa 

Price, 25 Cents 
iFt/r further Explanations, see Preface 



This little book is a reprint (rearranged, revised and indexed) of 
the first seven numbers of a little paper called The Better Way. 
From time to time the book will be enlarged from the same source. 
But meanwhile those interested are invited to subscribe for the paper 
itself, thus getting the new material as it comes from the press, 
month by month. I hardly need say that these are not meant to be 
essays; but rather simple helps and reminders for busy men and 
women in their hours of weakness and need. As such they should be 
judged; as such they have already proved helpful to many. May 
God accept and use them still more; such is the writer's earnest 
prayer. Of course they are incomplete; for there are hundreds 
of subjects to be discussed, and many things to be said about each. 
But a beginning is, at least, made, and in this we rejoice. 

Be sure and use the index freely; as it .vill suggest many lines of 
thought and work well worth your study. 

We can offer agents a profit of from ten to thirty cents an hour. 
Write for terms. 

The subscription price of The Better Way is fifteen cents a year, 

in the United States, Canada and Mexico. -Foreign rates, for other 

countries in the postal union, twenty cents a year; or two to one ad- 
dress, thirty cents; four to one address, fifty cents. 

Send all orders to W. H. Wheeler, Grinnell, Iowa, U. S. A. 



Copyright, 1895, BY W. H. Wheeler. 



The Better Way. 



ADVICE, (i) 

i:i. Shall I- Take Itf — "If the advice be good take it, no matter 
who gives it;" for even fools and enemies can sometimes teach us 
something which we need to know. But, if you are advised to do 
something which your deeper self forbids, or even does not clearly 
consent to, don't do it, no matter how kindly or positively the advice 
is given. 

1:2. Cross References. — Talking Too Long, 53:2. Advising Dis- 
couraged People, 17:1. The Final Decision, 19:2. 

1:3. Kindred Topics In Other Parts of the Book. — Criticising and 
Talking; Helping and Example; Truth and, too often, mere Guess 
Work. 

ANGER. (2) 

2:1. Is it Right to Get Angry? — If by anger you mean simply a very 
great disapproval of what another has done, or is doing (as in 
Eph. 4:26, and Ps. 7:11 ), then the answer is: Yes, anger is sometimes 
right; namely, when selfish or foolish elements do not get mixed up 
with it. But this is not the usual meaning of the word; for it nearly 
always refers to a more or less excited and anpitying disapproval of 
what another has done, the excitement showing itself in at least a 
slight tendency to lose your self-control and act or feel unwisely 
or selfishly. And I venture to say that ninety-nine times out of a 
hundred, when we are forced to admit to others, or in our own secret 
thought, that we are angry, this is the definition of anger which ap-' 
plies to our case. Is it right, then, to get angry ? Most emphatically, 
no, no matter how great the provocation ; though undoubtedly some fits 
of anger, secret or open, bring upon us far greater condemnation than 
others do; for some are only seriously faulty outbursts of just indig- 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



THE BETTER WAY 



nation on seeing real wrong done, while others are full of selfishness 
and meanness. 

But if anger is wrong, how can we distinguish it in ordinary life 
from a disapproval and indignation which are right? In answering 
this important question, I would recommend the following tests: 
(i) If you are at all inclined to act or think recklessly; (2) if you 
find it at all hard to remember the few or many good points of the 
one whose acts you are condemning; or (3) if you are in the least 
inclined to excuse your own faults, because his or hers seem greater 
than yours; then you may be sure that your better self has lost con- 
trol, and that your disapproval or indignation, however justifiable at 
first, is so no longer, and should be speedily tied up and conquered, 
by love, prayer, forgiveness, silence and solitude, and such other helps 
as you find most effective. 

Let us disapprove of wrong-doing most emphatically; let us show 
our indignation very plainly, if need be; but let us beware of getting 
angry. For anger, even at its very best, does much harm, and greatly 
lessens the good effects of even a just rebuke. 

2:2. Fighting it Out the Same Day. — When roused to fits of 
wholly unjustifiable anger, or of well-grounded anger carried too far, 
there is at least one thing which we can do, and always should do. We 
can seize or make an opportunity, before the day closes, to prayer- 
fully fight it out in our own minds, not letting the matter drop into 
the forgotten past, till the better side of our nature gets a clear and 
decisive victory. If you cannot get the time in any other way, take 
it from sleep; for otherwise your whole life will be slowly poisoned 
by unrebuked hatred and untamed anger. 

But how can we tell when the better side of our nature has got the 
victory? The answer is that anger will change to a more quiet dis- 
approval, and side by side of this disapproval will spring up a hearty 
willingness to be of service to the one who has offended us, in any 
and every way that our better self suggests or approves. 

2:3. Helps in Regaining Your Self- Control When Angry. — (For the 
use of those who are in danger of acting, speaking or feeling angrily 
or unwisely and really wish to control themselves.) First: He de- 
serves punishment, and will get it in due time, but it is not my work 
to give it. Second: He needs rebuke, but now is not the time to give 
it. Third: He deserves rebuke; but his own conscience is giving 
him all he can stand now; and, fourthly: Perhaps he does not de- 
serve quite as severe a rebuke as I should give. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 5 

2:4. Cross References. — Two Fools Instead of One, 54:2. How to 
Tame a Quick Temper, 54:1. 

'2:5. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Temper, Crossness, 
Drudgery and Criticising too much. — For opposites see Patience 
(Section 45.) 

BESETTING SINS. (3) 

3:1. 'How to Overcome Them. — If there is some one sin which you 
seem powerless to overcome, even after honest, prayerful effort, 
I would advise you for a while to watch more closely for other seem- 
ingly more trifling faults, and to overcome these more fully, by patient, 
prayerful effort. Then you will find that somehow or other, you 
know not how, the besetting sin which at first you could not conquer 
has greatly lessened its hold on you, and can now be fought against 
successfully. 

3:2. For Kindred Topics see Doing Wrong. 

BOOKS AND NEWSPAPERS. (4) 

4:1. How to Read. — Do not trouble yourself to read very much, or 
to remember what you read. The chances are you cannot do it, even 
if you try. Simply read with care: labelling each part with a well- 
considered "Yes" or "No," or "Perhaps," or "I don't know about 
that," or "I don't understand that," and above all, so plan and choose 
your reading as to always start a few good clear seed thoughts and 
queries of your own. Do this, and all your reading will do you good, 
however soon forgotten; and more and more of it will stay by you; 
and above all, your power to see things clearly and correctly, and to 
use them wisely and effectively, will steadily increase. 

4:2. Reading Too Much. — You cannot get strong by too much 
eating, neither can you get wise by too much reading (too much in 
all, or too much at one time). Yet we are all sorely tempted at times 
to forget or resist this simple law of mental hygiene and substitute 
much reading for well digested reading. But we always lose by it; 
and the only safe rule is to stop reading for a while at least whenever 
we have any doubt as to whether it will be good for us. Nor should 
we go on reading till the doubt is I cleared away, or 2 duty very clearly 
bids us disregard it. For the doubt generally proves that the mind 
has something more important for our brain to do, or else is working 
out successfully some better way of doing the work in hand*. 

For Full List of Topics See index. 



THE BETTER WAY 



4:3. Laying Up Treasure for Others. — Don't read simply for your- 
self. There are some things worth remembering and keeping be- 
cause some friend or neighbor of yours may sometime need them. 

4:4. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Talking, Studying 
and Truth; and, in index, see opinion, thought, news, arguments and 
others. 

BURDENS— GREAT AND SMALL. (5) 

5:1. Hozv to Bear Them More Easily. — Remember that God is will- 
ing to help you in bearing your burdens; the only conditions being 
that God as the wiser partner (I. Cor. 3:9) must be allowed to do 
most of the planning, and that you must do your part heartily, and 
as well as you know how, however small it may be. 

5:2. But Just What is God's Part? — It is not simply in the most 
important matters that God offers to give and send us help. - For if 
we ask and trust Him He stands ready to help us in everything that 
is even a little too hard for us. Only let us remember that we must 
let Him decide just how the needed help shall come; and freely con- 
sent to His changing our plans for us whenever He sees best. 

5:3. Tomorrow's Burdetts. — Do not carry tomorrow's burdens to- 
day; for the morrow shall carry its own. Sufficient unto each day 
are the burdens thereof; and according to each day's need shall 
strength be given to those who ask it. 

(Free Translation of Matt. 6:34 and Deut. 33: 25.) 

5:4. Cross Reference. — The Bright Side, 36:1. 

5:5. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Patience and Prayer; 
Godliness and Christlikeness. Also see the list of Kindred Topics 
given under Suffering, 52:4. 

BUSINESS. (6) 

6:1. Our Motives in Business. — Our chief aim in business, (as in 
everything else) should be to make each act a wise 1 and real 2 contri- 
bution to the general good; and if you make the simple getting of 
money your chief end in life or in business, you may succeed, but even 
if you do, you will be far less happy and really comfortable and hon- 
ored, than many another man whom you try hard to despise because 
he has less property than you have. 

6:2. Returning Borrowed Money Promptly. — Never keep borrowed 
money a single hour beyond the time appointed for its return, if it 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 7 

be in your power by any honest means to return it promptly; for dis- 
appointment will often close a man's purse against you forever. 

[Selected] 

6:3. Cross References. — How to Start Up the Ladder, 32:1," and 
Simply Yes or No, 19:2. 

6:4. Kindred Topics. — The book is full of them; but especially 
see Dishonesty and Money; Work, Drudgery and Rest; Time-Using, 
Opportunities and Restlessness; Guess-Work and Excuses; Little 
Things' and Hints for Hard Times; Helping others and Watchfulness. 

CARELESSNESS. (7) 

7:1. Its Consequences. — The man who does his work, or makes his 
plans carelessly is sure to get into trouble. 

7:2. Cross References. — Carelessness and Failure, 32:1. Despising 
Little Opportunities, and What Comes of It, 44:1. Casting the Blame 
on Others, 58:1. Learning to Do Better by Example, 29:2. 

7:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Guess-Work, Ex- 
cuses and Little Things; Discouragement and Loneliness; Restless- 
ness, Unhappiness and Besetting Sins. For opposites see Watch- 
fulness. 

CHARACTER. (8) 

8:1. Where to Begin. — The light that shines farthest must shine 
brightly at home. [Selected] 

8:2. A Pure Heart. — "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall 
see God," (Matt. 5:8); and if they see Him, they can't help trusting 
and enjoying Him. Yet it is not enough that our purposes alone be 
true, though that is our greatest need. Our lives must also be z true 
and 2 wise. For dirt is dirt, even if you honestly think it is gold; and 
folly is folly, even if you think it wisdom. 

8:3. Kindred Topics. — Nearly every section in the book; but espe- 
cially Godliness, Doing Right and Home; and the Kindred Topics 
there given. Also see "Ways of Learning," in index. 

CHEER AND CHEERFULNESS. (9) 

9:1. The Secret of Cheerfulness. — Unless we are lovingly engaged in 
bringing cheer to other lives we cannot have much of it ourselves. 
For love is the very fountain head of all true cheer; and a cheer that 
has no love in it is a hollow and disappointing mockery, and an un- 
successful attempt to deceive ourselves and others, for we cannot 
long do it. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



THE BETTER WAY 



9:2. When Cheer Grows Dim. — But even in a loving heart cheer 
sometimes grows dim. What then? Why, simply stop your other 
work, however good it may be, and lovingly do some little thing 
which expresses your love more simply and more wisely, and it will 
not be long before things will look brighter. 

9:3. Making Good News Reports. — Life is full of good news; but we 
often hear it and pass it on with only the faintest sort of an idea how 
good it is; thus losing much of the 'cheer and 2 good that we might 
have had, had we known its worth. As a partial remedy for this tend- 
ency I would suggest occasionally sending or giving to your pastor, 
mother, or some other friend, little bits of news, specially marked 
"Good News." Especially would I advise giving them to those 
friends whose influence has proved the deepest and most lasting in 
giving to your life some new impulse upward or onward; and also to 
your gloomy friends, in a lighter but no less sincere and hearty way, 
(We can furnish sample Good News Cards and Leaflets by mail for 
two cents. But when you get started, you will not need a printed 
card, except for extra occasions.) 

9:4. Cross References.— Only a Smile, 31:2. Patience and Sunshine, 
45:1. Looking for Good News, 36:2. Helping Each Other in Heaven, 
30:1. 

9:5. Kindred Topies in Other Parts of the Book.— Love and Kindness; 
Patience and Thankfulness; Home and Prayer; Talking and silence.* 
For opposites see Discouragement and Loneliness. 

CHILDREN. (10) 

10:1. Idle Hands. — For Satan finds some mischief still 
For idle hands to do. 

So reads the ancient rhyme, and it is true. So that one of your first 
and most important duties is to keep in mind a rich variety of simple 
kinds of Hvork and 2 play which your child likes; and also to find out 
what kinds of sticks and stones, boxes and papers, tin plates and cups, 
marbles and nails, wagons and dolls, and other simple toys, give the 
little one most pleasure, and to carefully lay aside and keep in dif- 
ferent parts of the house a goodly supply of these, to keep the little 
brain pleasantly occupied in studying and using them when other 
kinds of work or play have lost their interest. Nor should you look 
on these as so much "truck;" but rather as among the choicest of 
your family treasures; for on a proper use of such little trifles depends 
a large part of your child's development of 'character, 2 mind and 
3 body. 

♦See Index. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 9 

10:2. Letting the Children Help. — Expect and require your children 
\o help you, even if their help is at first rather troublesome; take care 
not to make their work too hard, too long or too monotonous for 
their childish powers; praise them heartily and lovingly for the work 
that is well done; and be patient and tender when it is done blunder- 
ingly, and patient and tender and firm when it is done unwillingly; 
and your reward will be a happier home than you can have in any 
other way. You will be happier yourself; and your children will be 
happier, and far more likely to remember and to use through life the 
lessons of truth and unselfishness which by word and example you 
are trying to teach them. 

10:3. Unaccountable Crossness. — When a child who is ordinarily rea- 
sonable and loving, becomes suddenly very cross and seemingly un- 
reasonable, without apparent cause — x hunger, 2 thirst (often for simple 
water, rather than milk) — 3 s leepiness or ^some undetected physical 
pain is nearly always the cause. And even with unloving and selfish 
children, these account for a great deal; though there is added to 
them a sad confusion and wrongness in their motives and habits of 
thought and life. — Yet even such more or less excusable crossness 
should, for the child's good, be stopped; first and oftenest by tender- 
ness, tact, and making haste to remove or lessen its causes and second- 
ly, when these means fail, or only partially succeed, by the use of som e 
sort of punishment, side by side of the tenderness. 

10:4. Children s Crossness in General. — Crossness is not wholly due 
to selfishness; for it is always in part a protest against some mistake 
which those around have made in their treatment of the one who is 
cross. B ut it is a blundering and confused protest, and tends very strongly 
to degenerate into mere selfishness and meanness. Hence the need 
of punishment, of which we have already spoken, when other gentler 
means of stopping it prove a failure. The best punishment ordinari- 
ly is to make the child stay by itself in some other part of the room, 
until it is willing to try to control itself and is ready once more for 
more tender helps, which should then be given gladly, but quietly. 

10:5. Rebuking Needlessly or Too Sharply. —We often misunderstand 
our inexperienced little neighbors, the children, and rebuke and con- 
demn them, when all they need is a little caution and restraint. 

[Selected] 

10:6. Going Into Repentance Comer Yourself. — Remember that you, 
too, must sometimes go off alone into repentance corner and ask for 
forgiveness and help, and wait till you get it (Gsn. 32:26); or you can- 

For Full List of Topics Sss Index. 



THE BETTER WAY 



not be as *wise and 2 patient and 3tender and yet ''firm as you should 
be in correcting your children and pupils. 

10:7. Your Example. — If you want your children to believe what 
you teach them, or at least to profit by it you must really try to prac- 
tice it yourself. You may not always succeed, and your children may 
know very well that you do not; bat if you really try, and in a manly, 
womanly way acknowledge to them that you do fail, they will listen 
more attentively to what you say, and above all ponder it 'often and 
2 honestly in secret, and in years to come. 

10:8. Cross-Referejice.— Praying about Little Things, 48:1. 

10:9. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Evenings, Home, 
Prayer and Jesus (Section 11;) Kindness, Love and Patience; Little 
Things and Restlessness; Drudgery and The Easy Way; The Child- 
ren's Corner and many others. 

CHRISTLIKENESS. (11) 

1 1:1. Knowing Jesus Better. — "Come unto me and I will give you 
rest" is still what Jesus says to the weary and heavy laden. But you 
cannot know how good a friend He is, until you come very near to 
Him, and consult him very often in all that rejoices or troubles you. 
For He can help you at a distance, but you cannot enjoy Him. 

11:2. Helping Others to Know Hun. — The more you love the Lord 
Jesus yourself, the more your friends will feel their need of Him; and 
some day, sooner or later, they will confess their need, and go to Him 
for help. 

11:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Godliness, Good- 
ness, Love. Helpfulness, Prayerfulness, Thankfulness, Watchfulness, 
Wisdom (Section 19) and Happiness; and many other related joys 
and secrets of joy. 

CONSEQUENCES. (12) 



Of Careful Reading, 4:1. 

Of Careful Living, Sections 24 

and 2c. 
Of Carlessness, 7:1. 
Of Dishonesty, 18:1. 
Of Despising Little Things, 44:1 

and 37:1. 
Of Doing Right in General, 29:1. 
Of Doing Right Cheerfully, 19:3 

and 29:5. 



Of Doing Wrong, Section 58. 

Of Gossip, 27:1. 

Of Guess-Work, 28:1. 

Of Getting Mad, 54:2. 

Of Having a Pure Heart, 8:2. 

Of Home Loving, 33:1. 

Of Knowing Jesus Better, 1 1 : 1 

and 2. 
Of Love for the Truth, 57:3. 
Of Patience, Section 45. 



For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 



Of 



Prayer, Section 48. 



Of Unwise or Unfriendly Criti- 
cism, 14:3 and 4. 

Of Yielding to Restlessness, 50:1. 

Of Choosing Your Work Reck- 
lessly, 56:1. 



Ut rrayer, section 4s. 

Of Really Serving God, 26:3. 

Of Suffering, 36:1 and 52:1. 

Of Talking Too Much, 53:1 and 2, 

Of Thankfulness, 55:1. 

COURTSHIP AND MARRYING. (13) 

13:1. Smartness and Beauty. — Some of the smartest men and bright- 
est, prettiest women make very poor husbands and wives, because 
they are so selfish. There is no need of your marrying a man or 
woman who is dull, or one who is homely as a hedge fence, unless you 
choose to. And yet among those whom you count smart or pretty, 
be sure and choose one who is really lovely (worthy of love and full 
of love); for, if you are careless at this point, a hard and lonely life 
will prove that you, at least, were once a fool, whatever your compan- 
ion may be. Yet there is no need of your making matters worse and 
showing that you are still a fool; for those who patiently and prayer- 
fully teach themselves the lesson of trusting God and forgiving man 
will always find that even a lonely borne is full of stepping stones 
toward peace and heaven and joy, more perfect joy than they have 
ever known before. 

13:2. Cross References. — Praying Over It, 48:1. Taking Advice, 1:1, 
Not Going by Guess-Work, 28:1. 

13:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Happiness and Un- 
happiness; Guess-Work and Excuses; Restlessness and The Easy 
Way; and Home and Little Things. 

CRITICISING OTHERS. (14) 

14:1. Speaking Kindly. — Speak kindly of others and you will be 
happier yourself; for even a man's faults can be spoken of kindly, 
and yet truly; and even the severest and most public rebuke may be 
full of a kindness which cannot be forgotten, though unnoticed at the 
time. 

14:2. Despising Others. — "He that is void of wisdom despiseth his 
neighbor," (Prov. 11:12). But a true and wise man sees another's 
faults and wrong doings and in proper ways rebukes and punishes him 
for them and still pities him and helps him, tenderly and truly, in 
such ways as he can. 

14:3. Condemning Too Persistently. — Whenever you find yourself in- 
clined to dwell on the faults of others one moment longer than is 



For 'Full List of Topics See Index. 



THE BETTER WAV 



plainly your duty, you will always find that there is something badly 
out of order in your own life; and will also make others hate the very 
truth you love. 

14:4. Poisoning Your Own Life. — Try to never speak or think tri- 
umphingly or needlessly of the meanness or faults of others; for if you 
are not careful at this point, your own life will gradually become 
mean and narrow, even in a good cause. 

14:5. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book.— Advice, Books and 
Talking; Patience and Drudgery; Differences of Opinion and Guess 
Work.— For Unfriend!)' Criticism, see 15:3. 

CROSSNESS. (15) 

15:1. Crossness in Adults. — How are we grown-up people to over- 
come our owji crossness? Let us see; what is crossness? A,mingling 
of disappointment and anger (only unaccompanied by any wish to 
injure). Like all other forms of anger, then, we should fight it out 
with ourselves prayerfully, the very same day, never waiting till to- 
morrow (Section 2:2); and secondly, we should try not to have a9 
many must-be plans as we do, and not to make our plans and expec- 
tations quite as stiff and set as we do, so that we will not be disap- 
pointed, it every detail does not turn out as we supposed or hoped it 
would. For if our larger aims in life are well chosen, and we are 
really careful and watchful in our work moment by moment, a great 
many details, and sometimes even the larger outlines of our plans, can 
be best determined on the spur of the moment, and seemingly almost 
without thought. 

15:2. Cross References. — Unaccountable Crossness in Children, 10:3. 
Children's Crossness in General, 10:4. Too Much Pepper, B :y. Feel- 
ing Ashamed of It, B:8. 

15:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Differences of 
Opinion and Overwork;* Anger, Temper, Unhappiness and too much 
Criticising. — For opposites see Patience. 

DIFFERENCES OF OPINION. (16) 

16:1. Why Honest Men Can Differ. — Truth is very many-sided and 
man's mind is rather slow and pretty easily confused on unfamiliar 
ground; so that a man may be just as level headed and honest as you 
are and still fail in seeing many of the truths and half-truths which 

*See Index, 
For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 



13 



you have seen. Remember this and be patient; and patience will 
bring you nearer to" your neighbor and to God, even if you seem to 
be as far apart as ever. 

16:2. Kindred Topics.— [Ignorance,] Guess-Work and the Largeness 
of Truth (Section 57.) For unfriendly differences of opinion see Mis- 
understandings.* 

DISCOURAGEMENT: (17) 

17:1. Tfozv to Help Discouraged People— -Do not argue with a dis- 
couraged person. Just show your love simply and tenderly; and get 
them to stop and rest a while. Then later, when the first storm of 
discouragement is over, make such explanations and suggestions as 
you can; but not till then, and even then don't give too big a dose. 

17:2. Cross References.— Exaggerating Our Misfortunes, 41: r. How 
to Get God's Help, 5:1 and 48:1. Just How Much is God Willing to 
Do, 5:2. What Does God Require of Us? 26:2. How to Start up the 
Ladder, 32:1. Don't Carry God's Part of the Burden, 59:1 and 19:4. 

17:3 Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book.— Rest, Loneliness 
and Guess-Work. Also Blues.* Opposites, more hopefulness* and 
more trust in God, 26:6 and 5:1. 

DISHONESTY. (18) 
18:1. The dishonest man is always an unhappy man. 

18:2. Call your dishonesty by some other name, and you may fool 
others; but you cannot long deceive yourself. 

18:3. Cross Reference.— Dishonesty in "One Little Thing," 58:3. 

18:4. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book.— Excuses and 
Money; Restlessness, Wrong-Doing and Unhappiness. For oppo- 
sites see Doing Right. 

DOING RIGHT. (19) 

19:1. Meaning of the Words Right and Wrong (When Correctly Used 
in Settling a Question of Present Duty).— Wrong is not what men 
call wrong, or think wrong, or can prove to be wrong; and right is not 
what men call right, or think right, or can prove to be right; though 
all of these, if honestly used, may help in making a man stop and con- 
sider. But right is what a man's deeper, quieter, more silent self 
tells him he ought to do, now and here; and wrong is that which his 
deeper, quieter, more silent self tells him he ought not to do. Obey 

*See Index. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



U THE BETTER WAY 

this still, small voice of duty within, and you will find peace, for God 
and truth arc with it; resist it, and you cannot find peace, and even 
your successes will be disappointing failures. 

19:2. Simply Yes or No. — Elaborate arguments and more simple 
word proofs are often exceedingly helpful in finding out what it is 
probably best for us to do; also in deciding tentatively matters where 
mistakes can very easily be corrected; and also when we are talking 
about matters which cannot be settled in any other way. But in 
questions of present duty, where so much always turns on the decis- 
ions of a single minute, our actual decisions, both great and small, 
should always have a surer and safer basis than mere word-proofs 
can possibly furnish. In these the only safe answer to give is a 
simple, 2 quiet, 3honest Yes or No; for the simplest and quietest an- 
swer, if honest, will most nearly express the leadings of our deeper, 
better life, and so bring us nearer to God and right. 

19:3. Godliness and Love of Right.— Tie sure and never separate 
tire two; for true godliness without love of right is impossible; and 
trying to do right, without often asking God's help, is but a sad grop- 
ing in the dark. For without His help we are very weak, but in Him 
we are strong; and the way which he approves, though sometimes 
hard, is always pleasantest, if we enter on it willingly. 

19:4. What to Do When in Doubt. — When, in a question of duty, you 
can not tell which of several ways is right and wise, you should not de- 
cide either way now; for guess-work in such matters is fatal; but 
should at once go to making simple, 2 restful, Squiet and 4prayerful 
changes in your surroundings, and, if possible, find some simple piece 
of work which helps you to look at life more quietly and truly. Then 
the more perplexing subject is sure to soon clear up, if it is really 
your duty or privilege to solve it. Or if it does not clear up, your duty 
will at least become clear; for conscience will soon plainly bid you 
leave the whole matter in God's hands. For that which is too hard 
for. us He is always willing to take as His part of the responsibility 
and work, and we only bring confusion into our own lives and others 
by meddling. 

And even if you are so much in the dark that you cannot seem sure 
of anything, just "postpone your bigger plans, 2 give yourself up heart- 
ily to seemingly trifling duties, and shonestly try, moment by moment, 
to come as near right as you can; and you will find later on that you 
have been helped and blessed and have gained ground in manhood, 
usefulness and happiness in spite of your perplexity. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 15 

19:5. Apparent Confusion Between Right and Wrong. — The reason 
why there is at times so much apparent confusion between right and 
wrong is that in our 'ignorance, 2 haste or 3pride we have called some- 
thing right that is really wrong, or something wrong that is really 
right. Then the confusion begins, and never wholly ends, till we 
patiently hunt up and correct our mistake. 

19:6. Don't Stop to Explain. — When obliged to *act very quickly, 
and also when -tempted, or very 3tired, be sure you are right before 
you act, (that is to say be honestly sure that your quieter, better self 
approves of your 'doing as you do, and 2 doing it now); but don't stop 
to talk much about it with x yourself or 2 any one else; for many words 
are only a source of weakness and confusion at such times as these. 

19:7. Is the Right Way Always Easy and Pleasant? — No, it is not 
always easy; for there are some very hard places in it. But it is gen- 
erally easy; and all the hard places in this path of duty are but step- 
ping stones to some special blessing (generally unseen at the time). 
And furthermore you will find that most of the hard places in life, 
and all of the seemingly unbearable ones are of our own making, when 
for a season our trust in God or right grows dim. 

But is it a pleasant way? Yes, for him who walks in it willingly. 
And it grows pleasanter and pleasanter year by year; whereas the 
wrong way grows less and less pleasant as the days go by. 

19:8. Cross References. — Doing Right and Happiness, 29:1 and 5. 
Doing Right Willingly and Gladly, 19:7 and 29:5. 

19:9. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Godliness, Help- 
fulness, Happiness; Watchfulness, Home and Business; Consequences 
and Example; and scores of others; for a right and happy life is 
very many sided. For the opposite of Doing Right see Doing 
Wrong. 

DOING WRONG. (20) 

2fo: I. Does it Pay . — There are some wrong and foolish things which 
we keep on doing through sheer desperation, or in moments of excite- 
ment, though we are sadly aware that it does not pay. On these we 
have already touched many times under Godliness, Doing Right, 
Prayer and Besetting Sins. But there are some wrong and foolish 
things so seemingly harmless, or even helpful, that we cannot escape 
from them until we form the habit of very pointedly and honestly 
asking ourselves this question, "Does it pay?" and insisting on a 
simple "Yes" or "No" for an answer. 

For Full List ©f Topics See Index. 



16 THE BETTER WAY 



20:2. Doing Wrong in Little Tilings. — Doing wrong in little things 
has ruined more lives and saddened more hearts than doing wrong in 
great ones. For few men are blind enough to deliberately do wrong 
in great things; but we are all tempted in little ones. 

20:3. Cross References. — Doing Wrong in "One Little Thing," 
58:3. Doing Wrong and Unhappiness How Related, 58:1. 

20:4. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Guess-Work, Re- 
setting Sins and Excuses; and Consequences and Unhappiness. For 
opposites see Doing Right. 

DRUDGERY. (21) 

21:1. Why Do We Sometimes Hate Our Work. — Work may very 
properly be hard and disagreeable; but when it seems like drudgery, 
you will always find either that you are doing it very aimlessly or very 
blunderingly or else you have got your mind filled full of unkind and 
and unfriendly thoughts about those for whose good you are doing 
it; and whichever be the cause, a little honest watching at these three 
points will almost always show where the trouble lies, and help you 
in doing better. 

21:2. Kindred Topics. — Crossness, Temper and Criticising too 
much; Guess-work, Haste* and Idleness.* For opposites see in the 
index Enthusiasm and Earnestness. 

THE EASY WAY. (22) 

22.1. When to Choose It— Yes, the right way is generally an easy 
way; but every easy way isn't right; and sometimes the right way is 
very hard for a while (though crowned with a rich reward). So nev- 
er choose the easiest way, till you are sure it's right. 

22:2. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Watchfulness, 
Earnestness* and Prayer; Guess-Work, Carelessness and Wrong- 
Doing; Rest, Patience and Suffering. — For opposites see Suffering. 

OUR EVENINGS. (23) 

23:1. The day is for labor; the evening for rest, inspiration and 
home. Let each have its share. [Selected] 

23:2. Kindred Topics. — See Rest, Cheer and Heme. 

*See Index. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 



EXAMPLE. (24) 

24:1. A Good Example. — If your life is lovely and true, a great 
many people will find it out after awhile, and will gratefully, though 
often silently, love and honor you for it, even if you are one of the 
poorest or richest persons in the whole neighborhood. — And even if 
your life is not lovely yet, if it is slowly becoming a little more so 
day by day or year by year, this also will be known and remembered. 
No, my friend, you do not live alone, however lonely some parts of 
your hfe may be. Oh, how many lives that have silently helped me 
and others do I recall as I write these words. — No; love and trueness 
can never be lost. 

24:2. Learning by Example. — Men are slow to learn by the failures 
of others; but by the success and wisdom and goodness of others we 
all learn something every day, though it often takes a long time to 
get it into practice. 

24:3. Cross References. — Learning to Be Happy by Example, 2c:2. 
Winning Others by Example, 11:2. Our Example at Home, 10:7. 

24:4. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Books and Home; 
Love and Consequences. 

EXCUSES. (25) 

"I Can't Help It" .• 3:1 

"I Can't Tell What It's Right for Me to Do" 19:4 

"I Did It Just for Fun" 40:1 

"I Haven't Time" 56:1 

"I Have No Chances" 44:1 

"I've Got To" 60:1 

"It's Some One Else's Fault That I'm so Unhappy" 58:1 

"It's True, Anyway" 57:1 and 27:1 

"But He Deserves It" 2:3 

"He Ought to See the Point" 57:2 

GODLINESS. (26) 

26:1. God Knows It All. — Let us be glad that God knows all our 
sins and faults; for without His help we never can do better. 

26:2. But What Does God Require of Us? — God does not expect you 
or me to do one whit more than we are able to, however little our 

, For Full List of Topics See Index. 



IS • THE BETTER WAY 



ability may be. Only remember that at some point or other your 
ability increases every day; for each new day reveals some little thing 
or other which you can do, but knew not of before, or at least knew 
not how to do. 

26:3. Lessons in Love. — The longer we really serve God the more 
we love Him; and our love for God increases our love for men. Is 
not this pretty good evidence that He is a kind and wise master? even 
though He is sometimes stern? Yes; and even the sternness changes 
to tenderness, as soon as tenderness can bring a blessing. 

26:4. God's Larger Blessings. — God does not even offer His larger 
blessings to everyone; but only to those who are willing to do their 
part day by day, and do it heartily and honestly; and are also will- 
ing to let alone His part. (See 5:1 and 19:4) For to give His larger 
blessings to others would be folly and wrong; though for every man 
God has some blessings, such as are suited to his blindness and need. 

26:5. God's Care. — God cares for the world as truly when we are 
asleep as when we are awake. [C. c. Tracy] 

26:6. How to Get More Trust in God. — First of all try honestly to do 
your duty day by day and hour by hour, as far as you can see it; 
secondly, watch for simple, natural ways of increasing your love for 
others, both great and small, both wise and foolish; thirdly, try not 
to mistake helpful guesses for certainty and helpful half-truths for 
perfectly correct statements of the whole truth; and, fourthly, make 
an earnest effort to crowd out, or at least postpone, ( 19:4) all subjects 
of thought which perplex and upset you by other thoughts and other 
work which are at least harmless and quieting even if seemingly al- 
most useless. (See again 19:4) Then you will begin to clearly see 
God's hand in life, and your trust in Him will grow strong and hearty, 
even if at present you have but little trust, or none at all. And 
whenever men lose their faith in God, or talk about Him without 
really knowing Him, you will always find that in one or more of these 
four essentials of a healthy manhood they have sadly failed. 

26:7. How to Glorify and Enjoy Him. — If we wish to "glorify God 
and enjoy Him" and also wish to have our testimony as to God's love 
and the pleasantness of right-doing count for much, we must not be 
satisfied with testifying in only one or two ways, but must rather seek 
and find many ways of testifying, all close akin, and yet all different. 
For in public acts and private acts, in rest and work, in weariness and 
energy, whether silent or speaking, in each of these, in all its forms f 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 19 

an overflowing heart will somehow testify; and if we 'often walk with 
God, and 2 love to .turn to Him for His rebuke and cheer, then will 
this testimony not only be varied, but also full of power, and our own 
life full of joy. 

26:8. Cross References. — Our Wiser Partner and the Help He Of- 
fers, 5:1. Trusting and Doing, B:3. Godliness and Worry, 59:1. 
Just What is God's Part? and What is Mine? 5:2 and 19:4. 

26:9. Kindred Topics. — Doing Right and Love; Christlikeness and 
Prayer; and all the good things spoken of from one end of the book 
to the other. — For different sorts of Ungodliness and of Perplexity in 
regard to God see 26:6. 



Goodness. — See Doing Right. 



GOSSIP. (27) 

27:1. May Be True and Still be Gossip. — "Gossip is not always tell- 
ing lies; the most hurtful kind is sometimes speaking of the wrong- 
doing of others unnecessarily." For when you speak of such things 
unnecessarily, you 'poison your hearer's life; 2 degrade your own; and 
3make it harder for the wrong doer to ever repent and do better. 

27:2. Cross References. — Little Things That Darken Other Lives, 
37:1. Two Fools Instead of One, 54:2. How and When to Use the 
Truth, 57:1. 

27:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Guess Work and 
Meanness; Criticising Too Much and Talking Too Much; Besetting 
Sins and Doing Wrong. — For opposites see Helping Others (Section 
31) and Good News Finders, 36:2 and 9:3. 

GUESS WORK. (28) 

28:1. Going by Guess Work. — Don't Go by Guess Work in deciding 
what to do or not to do, and you will save yourselt and others a great 
deal of trouble. — For though we cannot always be sure whether our 
work will turn out just as we expect it to, or not, we always can by 
wise -and honest searching (19:2) find a way which is clearly right, or 
at least a step in the right direction; and this is the way which al- 
ways leads to blessing, especially when we walk it gladly. But guess 
work always brings restlessness first, and disappointment later. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



THE BETTER WAY 



28:2. Cross References. — What to Do When In Doubt, 19:4. Avoid 
Guess Work in Study, 51:3. Don't Always Choose the Easiest Way, 
22:1. Don't Talk Too Much, 53:1. 

28:3. Kindred Topics. — Carelessness and Excuses; [Appearances] 
and Doing Wrong; Restlessness and Temper. For hints as to the 
really safe and sure way, study the section on Doing Right (especially 
19:2 and 4. 

HAPPINESS. (29) 

29:1, Goodness and Happiness. — The old saying, "Be good and you'll 
be happy," is not strictly true, as words are ordinarily used; for a 
man or woman may be really good, (though not perfectly good,) and 
yet be very unhappy much of the time. But if we change it, and say 
that Doing right always makes us happier, then the words are 
strictly and grandly true; not only of saints and angels, but also of 
the most weak and inconsistent person that ever really tried to do 
right and took a step honestly in the' right direction. But if you wish 
to find out how much of happiness there can be in life, you must T go on 
and 2 ask God's help, and with His help stake many steps in the right 
direction, though still taking them one by one; as the path of duty 
and of privilege is made plain to you from moment to moment, and 
day to day. 

29:2. Learning by Exa?nple. — Be sure and study lovingly and often 
the best and happiest men and women you have ever known, and your 
own life will slowly drink in the secret of their happiness and become 
more and more like theirs. For though good men and women are 
often unhappy, because of the wrong things they mix in with the 
good ones, this much is certain, that the happiest men and women, 
though never perfect are always good. These are the ones to study, 

29:3. Finding Happiness in Your Work. — The best place to hunt 
for happiness and the place where you will find most of it is in and 
around your regular work; and if you do your work with an eager 
desire to make others happier, and with a humble, hearty willingness 
to correct your faults as fast as you find out how it can be done, you 
are sure to find a great deal of happiness even in the work which is 
hardest and most common place. 

29:4. Longing for Happiness. — Longing for happiness is perfectly 
proper; the only question is whether we have sense enough to hunt 
for it in the right way. For some of the ways men try only lead 
them farther and farther away from the happiness they long for. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPSiFOR MOMENTS OF NEED 21 

„ 29:5. The Secret of Abundant Happiness.— happiness comes most 
abundantly to those who do right most cheerfully and fearlessly; 
and are thus so busy seeing good and doing good (and doing it wise- 
ly), that they see much reason for love and hope, and are not much 
tempted to worry, no matter what happens. But if you wish to 
learn this secret, you must begin to obey your wiser, better self with 
equal care in little things and in great. 

29:6. Cross References. — Happiness and Poverty, 47:1. Happiness 
and Usefulness, 31:1 and 29:5. Enjoying God, 26:7 and 6. The 
Bright'Side of Life, 36:1. 

29:7. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Cheerfulness and 
Helpfulness; Godliness and Goodness; Christlikeness and Love. — 
For opposites see Unhappiness. 



Hard Times. — See Hints for Hard Times. 



HEAVEN. (30) 

30:1. Love and Helpfulness in Heaven. — Even in heaven we shall 
need love and help, and shall be called upon to love and help others; 
for heaven would not be heaven without the sweet privilege of help- 
ing and being helped. 

30:2. Cross References. — "Many Homes," a new translation of John 
14:2, B:2. Helping Jesus in Heaven, B:i2. Those Who Have Gone 
Before, 43:1. 

30:3. Things That Easily Remind Us of Heaven (When We Think of 
Them Quietly and Fairly). — Duty Done Willingly, 29:5 and 19:7. 
Work Well Done, 29:3. The Thought of God, 26:6. Christ's Life, 
Section 11. The Best Men and Women We Have Ever Known, 29:2. 
Loving the Truth, 57:3. Our Own Hungering for Truer Lives (Mot- 
to on Title Page). God's Overruling Providence, 36:1. God's Past 
Blessings, 55:1. Our Books of Remembrance, 36:2. Life, Home and 
Happiness; Love, Rest and Patience; Kindness and Children; Suf- 
fering and Misfortune; Prayer and Godliness; and many, many others. 

• HELPFULNESS— OR HELPING OTHERS. (31) 

31:1. Love, Happiness and Groivth, Hew Related. — Whenever you 
find that your actions, words and thoughts are, hour by hour and day 
by day, filled with an earnest, humble wish to help others, in ways 

Per Full List of Topics See Index. 



THE BETTER WAY 



which your own deeper life approves, then you will also find that 
each new year of life is making you a little 'wiser and 2 more useful 
and 3more happy than you were before. 

31:2. Only a Smile. — It was only a true hearted smile; but it bright- 
ened both lives, and still brightens them; for they often think of it. 

[Suggested] 

31:3. Cross References. — Helping Mamma, B:o,. Helping Jesus in 
Heaven, B:i2. Helping Each Other in Heaven, 30:1. 

31:4. Kindred Topics hi Other Parts of the Book. — Patience and Love; 
Cheerfulness and Kindness; Example, Advice and Business; and 
many others, as nearly every page contains some suggestions on this 
subject. 

HINTS FOR HARD TIMES. (32) 

32:1. How to Start Up the Ladder. — One fish is better than none; 
poor pay than no pay. But learn to do your poorly paid job extra 
well and you are sure of a better one later on. For even in this 
blundering, selfish world the most careless and sleepy workman is 
almost always the one who goes to the bottom first and stays there 
longest; while the man who loves to do his best for himself and oth- 
ers is sure to gain Hnfluence, ^respect, ipeace of mind, and often ^riches 
as well. 

32:2. Szvapping Work. — Let your neighbors and friends know what 
kind of work you would like to have done; and let them know what 
kind of work you can do best; then occasionally swap work. Why 
waste so much time in doing work for which you are not fit, or, per- 
chance, in doing absolutely nothing, just because you cannot get a 
chance to work for money, or cannot afford to always pay in money? 
Swapping work with your neighbors may not be as profitable and 
pleasant as having good steady work for which you are paid in money, 
or as hiring others by the day or week; but it is a great deal better 
than doing nothing, or wasting your time and strength in doing the 
wrong kind of work. 

32:3. Using Idle Moments. — Don't spend mo,,ey for what you can 
make fairly well for yourself in your idle hours. Better work two 
whole days on it than lie idle two days and then buy it for "only fifty 
cents." You will be fifty cents richer in cash, and two days richer in 
that manliness and pluck which bring 'happiness now and 2 success 
later. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 23 

32:4. Cross References. — Don't Always Take the Easiest Way, 22:1. 
"The Bright Side of it All, 36:1. Praying About Little Things, 48:1. 
In Partnership With God, 5:1 and 2. 

32:5. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Poverty, Suffer- 
ing and Discouragement; Guess Work and Excuses; Kindness and 
Love; Carelessness and Opportunities; and many others. 

HOME. (33)' 

33:1. 'Home loving hearts are happiest.' (Longfellow; slightly altered.) 

33:2. Cross References. — Let your Light Shine at Home, 8:1. The 
Poor Man's Home, 47:1. "I Have Many Homes," B:2. Loveliness 
First; Money Second, 42:1. A Lonely Home, 13:1. 

33:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Burdens, Cheer 
and Character; Courtship and Marrying; Patience, Love and Kind- 
ness; Guess Work and the Easy Way; Watchfulness, Christlikeness 
and Prayer; Evenings, Little Things and Rest; Children and The 
Children's Corner; and many, many others. 

. INGRATITUDE. (34) 

34:1. Helps in Bearing- It. — The man who slaps you in the face after 
you have done him a real kindness (in real love) has not forgotten it; 
he is only trying to forget it. But in spite of all his efforts, the mem- 
ory of it will remain; and is sure to do him good. 

34:2. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Carelessness, Tem- 
per and Excuses; Unhappiness and Discouragement; Besetting Sins 
and Doing Wrong. — For opposites see Thankfulness, 

KINDNESS. (35) 

35:1. Words Not Enough. — Kind words are not enough. Your voice 
and looks and actions must all be kind; which they cannot be, unless 
you really feel kind. 

35:2. Mistaken Kindness. — It is not true jdndness to let any one, old 
or young, have what they ask for; unless it is good for them, and can 
be given without wronging some one else. 

35:3. A Loving Hurt. — Kind words sometimes hurt fearfully; but 
it is a helpful hurt. But that is no excuse for unkind words; or for 
kindly meant ones that hurt one whit more than is really necessary. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



THE BETTER WAY 



Yet if the words were kind, or half kind, let us ho. grateful for them, 
even if they were unwise. — And if they were unkind, let us forgive 
them. 

35:4. Cross References. — Kindly Criticism, 14:1. Kindliness and Pa- 
tience, 45:1. Kindliness and Fun, 40:1. 

35:5. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Cheerfulness, 
Helpfulness and Home; Patience, Love and Happiness; Watchful- 
ness, Christlikeness and Goodness; and last, but not least, Criticising 
in Love, 14:1 and 2. For opposites see Unkindness.* 

LIFE IN GENERAL. (36) 

36:1. The Bright Side of Life. — All things work together for good 
to them that love God, (Rom. 8:28.) Yes, all things. But, the more 
we love Him, the greater will be the blessing; for sometimes our love 
is so small that the blessing cannot be very great. Yet even to the 
very faintest love some blessing is sure to be given. 

36:2. A Book of Remembrance — It is a great help when Hempted, lone- 
ly, 3discouraged or 4perplexed if we can clearly bring to mind some of 
the bright examples that have cheered and strengthened us in times 
gone by; and also some of the hopeful things in the lives of those 
whose faults oftenest discourage and disappoint us. Ordinarily these 
bright spots easily come to mind, when we set out heartily to hunt 
for them. But sometimes our memories seem very dull; for discour- 
agement and tempter have silenced them. At such times a little 
"Book of Remembrance" is very helpful. Several such lie before 
me now. Some of the owners' favorite references I find repeated on 
nearly every page, for they like to dwell on them and see them often; 
but new ones keep coming in, showing that the writers are seeing 
more and more of the bright side of life. Let me give some of the 
entries, simply changing or omitting names: Mother's gen- 
erosity. -'s earnest prayer meeting talks. Father's patience. 

Father's past life. Aunt 's sweet life. John's forgiveness. J's 

faithfulness. H. B's help in my work. P's improvement in school. 
My talk with . Our stay in N. These hard times! 

If you do not already keep some such book, let me advise you to 
have one. For though some of this good news has been gath- 
ered from plain, two-cent pocket books, and some from fine, gilt- 
edged and expensively bound ones, it all has the same ring and has 
helped in many an hour of need. ( For Children's Good^News Books 
see B:5.) 

*See Index. 

For Full List of Topics See Index, 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 25 

36:3. Cross References. — Life Is Full of Opportunities, 44:1. Things 
in Life That Easily Remind Us of Heaven, 30:3. Kindred Topics 
too numerous to mention. 

LITTLE THINGS. (37) 

37:1. Beware How You Call Things Little. — Be very careful how you 
use that word little. For it often happens that things are not as little 
(in real importance) as they seem. — Above all be careful not to call 
anything little that is bringing confusion or blackness into your own 
life or some one else's. 

37:2. Little Minutes. — A minute a day makes six hours a year; and 
a minute of folly may bring hours of pain. Then don't dispise the 
minutes. 

37:3. Spending Time on Little Things. — Don't stop to argue about 
little things. Don't even stop to do them, except when you can see 
that they will somehow make life brighter and better. But when 
they do help, don't be ashamed to do them, and to do them heartily 
and well. 

37:4. Cross References. — Praying About Little Things, 48:1. Little 
Blessings, 55:1. Doing Wrong in Little Things, 20:2. "Little Things," 
and Unhappiness, 58:3, Fussing,* and many others. 

LONELINESS. (38) 

38:1. A Cure for Loneliness. — -Often bring to mind the dear ones, 
living and dead, who are now so far away, and ask God to help you 
to be true J to them and 2 to all the good they taught you. Then go 
quietly about your work (generally some very simple work), and put 
into it all the wisdom and love you can; and soon you will find that 
the very memories which make you so sad and weak are becoming a 
source of gladness and power. 

38:2. Cross References. — A Lonely Married Life, 13:1. When Cheer 
Grows Dim, 9:2. Books of Remembrance, 36:2. 

38:3. Kindred Topics. — See Discouragement and Suffering. Also 
Mourners. — For opposites see Cheerfulness. 

LOVE. (39) 

39:1. Why Do We Love Menf — We love them for the good there is 
in them; not because they are perfect. — Then seek out the good, and 

*See Index. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



26 THE BETTER WAY 



think of it oftener than you do, and love will spring up; even if side 
by side of the good you see a great deal that is wrong and faulty. 

39:2. Love — Hoxv to Increase It. — Love is like wheat; the more of 
it you plant, in a well-considered, careful way, the more you will 
have. 

39:3. Cross References. — Love In Heaven, 30:1. Love as a Motive 
in Business and Life, 6:1. Love as a Source of Happiness and 
Growth, 31:1. Love Cannot Be in Vain, 24:1. 

39:4. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Patience, Prayer 
and Kindness; Love of God (Section 26) and Helping Others; and, 
in a somewhat different sense, Courtship, Marrying and Home. — Op- 
posites; Indifference*; Selfishness* and [Hatred.] 



Marrying. — See Courtship and Marrying. 



MEANNESS. (40) 

40:1. Meanness and Fun. — "Don't mistake meanness for fun." True 
fun makes everybody laugh; meanness makes one person laugh and 
another cry. 

40:2. For Kindred Topics see Unkindness.* 

OUR MISFORTUNES. (41) 

41:1. Exaggerating Them. — Take care not to exaggerate your mis- 
fortunes, and many of them will trouble you no longer. 

41:2. For full list of Kindred Topics see Suffering. 
MONEY. (42) 

42:1. Loveliness First; Money Second. — Wherever you find a lovely 
mother and a loving father, you will always find a happy home. But 
you can often find good clothes and plenty of money where there is 
no home and no gladness. For money is a helpful and important tool 
for him who loves his fellow man; but is always a disappointing 
curse to him who gives it the first place in his life or thought. 

42:2. Cross Reference. — Our Motives in Business, 6:1. 

*See Index. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 27 

42:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Business and 
Work; Hard Times and Poverty; and Opportunities. For dishonest 
use of money, see Dishonesty; for unwise use of it, see Restlessness 
and Guess Work. 

FOR MOURNERS. (43) 

43:1. Those Who Have Gone Before. — When little ones and older 
ones (who have won and deserved our love) go on before us, we may 
be sure that the same kind God is tenderly caring for them still, ac- 
cording to their need. And the more we learn to ask His help and 
trust in Him, the more comfort shall we find in this one simple thought, 
that He still cares for them and us. 

43:2. Kindred Topics. — See Suffering and Heaven; and the lists of 
cross references and kindred topics there given. 



Newspapers. — See Books and Newspapers. 



OPPORTUNITIES. (44) 

44:1. Life is Fid! of Them. — Yes, life is full of difficulties and hin- 
drances. But it is also full of opportunities. But the trouble is that 
we turn up our noses at many of the little opportunities, and so never 
become skillful enough to r find and 2 catch, and 3keep and *use the 
larger ones. But if you will use your little openings in an earnest, 
hearty, wide-awake way, and strive each day to become a little more 
skillful in using them, you are sure to find larger opportunities and a 
wider influence as the days and years roll by. 

44:2. Cross References. — How to Start Up the Ladder, 32:1. — Kin- 
dred Topics: Life, Doing Right and many others. 

PATIENCE. (45) 

45:1. A little bit of patience often makes the sunshine come. [Anon] 

45:2. How Patience Grows. — Patience comes from trying to put in 
practice under difficulties what little love for others and trust in God 
we have. Then, if we persevere, the love, the patience and the trust 
slowly grow stronger, till at last the ripened fruit is very beautiful 
and very, very sweet. 

45:3. Cross References. — How to Get God's Help, 5:1. Helps to 
Self-Control, 2:3. Going Into Repentance Corner, 10:6. 

For Full List of Topics See Jndex. 



28 THE BETTER WAY 



45:4. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Godliness, Christ- 
likeness and Goodness; Kindness and Love. — For opposites see Rest- 
lessness, Drudgery, Crossness, etc. 

POSTPONING. (46) 

46:1. When Proper; When Not. — Never postpone doing a thing sim- 
ply because you dread it; but if you have any doubt as to whether it 
is right or not, then it is your duty to always postpone it till you see 
clearly what you ought to do. (For reasons see 19:4.) But though 
you may and should postpone the matter about which you feel some 
doubt, you should turn very quickly to some other work, (watching, 
listening, thinking or acting,) which you are sure is right, or at least 
an honest, hearty step in the right direction; that by some other way 
you may be led out into the full light and usefulness of a true and 
busy life. 

46:2. Cross References. — Choosing the Easiest Way, 22:1. What to 
Do When in Doubt, 19:4. Postponing the Study of a Thought, 51:1. 

46:3. Kindred Topics. — Time-Using and Haste.* 

POVERTY. (47) 

47:1. Poverty and Happiness. — Why is it that poor men's homes are 
often so happy? It is because "The things that help most in mak- 
ing life happy do not cost much money;" [Ram's Horn] and love, 
care and industry can make a very happy home out of little. For 
though poverty often brings upon men much unjust, though often 
unavoidable suffering, and at such times points to a wrong some- 
where which should be righted as soon as possible, thank God such 
suffering can always be turned into a blessing and be one of God's 
helps in making your life a larger, happier and more useful one! 

47:2. Kindred Topics hi Other Parts of the Book. — Burdens, Misfor- 
tunes and Suffering; Discouragement, Hard Times and Money; Op- 
portunities and Work. 

PRAYER. (48) 

48:1. Praying About Little Things. — "Do you pray about such little 
things?" she asked, in-surprise. "Yes, when they trouble or perplex 
me; for that shows that I need help; and whenever we ask God's help 
in a really trusting spirit, or even in true humility, He always gives it." 

[Altered] 

*See index. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 29 

,48:2. Cross References. — Going to God for Help and Getting It, 5:1. 
Going to God for Forgiveness, 10:6. Nearness to Christ, n :i. 

48:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Godliness and 
Watchfulness; Thankfulness and Love. 

REST. (49) 

49:1. A Clear and Quiet Brain. — Never count your time wasted if 
your working, waiting, resting or playing has given you a clearer and 
quieter brain. For without it a man's power to do r large, blasting and 
3satisfying work is lessened many fold. 

49:2. Cross References. — Taking Time to Rest, 56:1. Rest at Even- 
ing, 23:1. Not Letting Your Work Drive You, 60:1. Resting In 
God, 26:5. 

49:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Books and Talk- 
ing; Evenings and Home; Work and Play.* — For healthy opposites 
see Work; for unhealthy opposites see Restlessness and Overwork.* 

RESTLESSNESS. (50) 

50:1. Its Cause and Cure. — Restlessness may be partially covered 
up {and made more dangerous) but can never be cured by taking a 
larger dose of the things you so restlessly long for. The only way to 
cure it is to let alone the things you so long for, till you are able to 
make your decisions more quietly and wisely. For even when harm - 
less and desirable in themselves, your restlessness shows that they 
have got misplaced in your life and thought, and are injuring, and up- 
setting you instead of helping. (If I were to define restlessness I 
should say it was a more or less impatient and hasty longing for 
change.) 

50:2. Cross References. — "I Haven't Time," 56:1. Little Changes 
Often Help, 19:4. 

50:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Guess Work and 
Worry*; Loneliness and Drudgery; Carlessness and Besetting Sins. 
— For best tonics see Watchfulness, Rest and Patience. 



Right. — See Doing Right. 



♦See Index. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



30 THE BETTER WAY 



STUDY— IN GENERAL. (51) 

51:1. Keeping Thoughts for Future Study. — Writing a thought down 
and then laying it away for future study or criticism is a great help 
to vigorous and far reaching thought. But if you wish for something 
more than merely superficial influence and hope to really benefit and 
enlarge men's thoughts and lives, you must also spend much time in 
rewriting and correcting your statements, always taking for each day's 
study the ones which are clearest at the time, (51:3). 

As an important help in doing this I would suggest that you keep 
a part of your writings and clippings in simple envelopes, and on 
rather small sheets of paper, so that one part can easily be revised or 
even rewritten without copying or disfiguring all. Ordinary No. 5 
or 6 manilla envelopes and little slips of writing paper, 5 inches by 
2^i or 5 by 2, are the sizes I find most satisfactory. — This way of work- 
ing will help you in noticing or correcting many inaccuracies which 
would be sure to pass unnoticed in simply rewriting the article or 
thought as a whole. 

You should use both paper and envelopes freely; only do not mark 
your envelopes in ink, as your envelope titles will change oftener than 
any other part of your collection, and you will probably wish to use 
the same envelopes over and over again. (Cheap letter paper can be 
got for from ten to fifteen cents a package of five quires; and manilla 
envelopes for from sixty to seventy-five cents per box of five hun- 
dred.) 

51:2. Seed Thoughts. — Even very crude, unripe and even untrue 
thoughts, if healthfully suggestive, are often worth writing down and 
keeping; because of some seed thought which they contain. But 
they should always be kept by themselves, as mere raw material, and 
not in the same set of envelopes as your more finished and carefully 
tested thoughts. 

51:3. Studying the Things That Are Already Clearest. — If you wish 
to use your time and strength to the best advantage, you should 
make it your rule to spend most of it in studying and applying more 
closely the things which are already clearest in your mind. If you 
do this honestly and patiently, (and without mixing in a lot of guess 
work,) you will find it a sure and quick way of learning yet more and 
helping others to do the same. 



For Full List of Topics See index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 31 

51:4. Cross References. — Do Not Always Choose the Easiest Way, 
2 s 2:i. When to Put it Off, When Not, 46:1. How and When to Use 
the Truth (and Not Use It,) 57:1. Spending Time on Little Things, 
37:3. Studying Lovely Characters, 29:2 and 36:2. A Book of Re- 
membrance, 36:2. 

51:5. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Books, News- 
papers and Talk; Truth and Guess Work; Character and Insight.* 

SUFFERING. (52) 

52:1. Often Proves a Blessing. — "That which was bitter to endure is 
often sweet to remember;" for out of it God has brought a blessing. 

52:2. The Hard Things. — Don't dwell on the hard things; for it only 
makes them harder; but rather remember that God can turn them all 
into blessings, if you will but willingly let Him plan for you. 

52:3. Cross References. — How to Get God's Help in Bearing It, 5:1. 
Suffering for the Right, 19:7. Christ's Help, 11:1. The Bright Side, 
36:1. Choosing the Easiest Way, 22:1. 

52:4 Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Burdens and Mis- 
fortunes; Mourning and Poverty; Discouragement and Loneliness; 
and, finally, Self-Sacrifice* and Unhappiness. 

TALKING. (53) 

53:1. Talking Too Much and Talking Too Little. — A man may expose 
his own ignorance, 2 narrowness or else 3 weakness, both by too much 
talking and by too little; and wherever you are, you will get far more 
credit for what you do know, if you are careful to avoid both the one 
extreme of boastful or unthinking talkativeness, and the other of 
proud or frightened silence. 

53:2. Talking Too Long. — In giving advice, especially when some 
rebuke is mingled with it, and also in all other attempts to persuade 
and win men, we should be careful not to talk too long. For a little 
too much talking may cancel much of the good done by our previous 
'rebuke, 2 advice or Sexplanation. 

53:3. Your Tongue, — Look out for your tongue; for it can do a great 
deal of mischief. — Use your tongue; for if you use it carefully and at 
the right time, you can do a great deal of good, be you great or be you 
small, be you learned or unlearn'd. 

*See Index. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



32 THE BETTER WAY 

53:4. Cross References. — Talking and Thinking Too Much, A Source 
of Weakness, 19:6. The Tones of the Voice, 35:1. Talking with 
Mamma, B:i8. 

53:5. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Advice, Criticism 
and Gossip; Rest and Prayer; Truth and Study; Books, Home and 
Evenings. 

TEMPER. (54) 

54; 1. Hoiv to Tame a Quick Temper. — Is there any cure for a quick 
temper? Yes, there is; a slow one, but a very sure one, namely; 
fighting it out the same day with yourself (explained more fully in 
Section 2:2.) This always results in slowly but surely giving a man 
control ot even the worst temper. Nor do I know of any other cure. 
But since this is so effective, and so helpful in many other ways, no 
fair-minded man can complain at its slowness. 

54:2. Two Fools Instead of One. — When another man acts like a fool 
in your presence, you will be very apt to see it, and it may be proper 
to say that he is acting like a fool, provided, your saying it will do 
anybody any good. But if you get all stirred up or cross in seeing, or 
saying it, then it only proves that there are two fools instead of one, 
and you ought to make haste to catch and tame the one nearest 
home, the one over whom you have most authority. Then catch the 
other, if you can; but not till then. 

54:3. Cross References. — Fighting It Out The Same Day, 2:2. Helps 
in Regaining Your Self-Control, 2:3. 

54.4. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Crossness and 
Anger; Drudgery and Unfriendly Criticism, 14:2 and 3; Carelessness 
and Unhappiness; Watchfulness and Besetting Sins. 

THANKFULNESS. (55) 

55:1. Our Little Blessings. — When we learn to thankfully notice the 
little blessings of life, their number steadily increases, and each be- 
comes sweeter and greater than it has ever been before. 

55:2. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Cheerfulness, Pa- 
tience'and Love. — Its opposite, Ingratitude. 

TIME-USING. (56) 

56:1 "I Haven t Time.' 1 — Suppose a person were to say "I haven't 
time to eat and sleep," and were to go without sleep or food for a 
few days. How would it work? Would he really save time and ac- 
complish more? Yet nearly all of us make just such mistakes as this 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 33 

often enough and long enough to keep our minds and stomachs, our 
nerves and brains all out of order. Let me ask you, Does it pay? 
Do we accomplish more by so doing? Oh no; we work harder, but 
accomplish less. The only safe rule is to never say, "I haven't time," 
except when duty very plainly approves of your so doing, or calls 
you elsewhere. A moment's rest or prayer, a little more watching, 
a little more care in making sure you're doing right will save you from 
many a sad mistake, and will also make you work so much faster 
and-more skillfully later on, that, though you have less time, you ac- 
complish more. Remember this, and you will save yourself and oth- 
ers many a needless heart ache and back ache. 

56:2. Cross References. — A Minute a Day, 37:2. Time versus Mon- 
ey, 32:3. Spending Time on Little Things, 37:3. Doing Too Much, 60:1. 

56:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Hints for Hard 
Times, Work, Rest and Postponing; and, in the index, Hurry and 
Haste. 

TRUTH. (57) 

57:1. How and When to Use the Truth. — "It's true." Yes; but does 
it do you any good to think and talk about it? For truth, like medi- 
cine and like food, cannot help you, if you use it carelessly, or even 
at the wrong time. So learn to let alone some true things, and to use 
others only in small doses, But be honest, 2 wise and 3careful in your 
choice; and be careful not to despise the truths and half-truths for 
which you have no present use; and also be careful not to despise a 
truth because it has been very blunderingly stated, or because some 
of those who talk about it are insincere, and some very stupid. For 
some of the very truths which are oftenest twisted, counterfeited and 
misunderstood are the most helpful to an honest, earnest lover of 
truth and right. 

57:2. How to Increase its Power. — The more clearly and truly and 
wisely you can state a truth, the more lives it will reach and the more 
deeply it will influence those that it does reach. Do not be contented 
with the mere assertion that what you say is true. The question is 
whether others will see that it is true; and how clearly will they see 
it? and again will your manner of stating and presenting it make them 
any more likely to see and profit by it? 

57:3. A Word of Cheer for Truth Lovers. — He that loveth truth shall 
find more and more of it; slowly sometimes, but very surely. [Selected] 

57:4. Cross References. — True Gossip, 27:1. Using Truth Unwisely, 
57:1. How Honest Men May Differ, 16:1. Apparent Confusion of 
Truth, 19:5. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



34 THE BETTER WAY 



57:5. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Watchfulness, In- 
sight* and Right; Study and Talk; Books and Newspapers; and Con- 
sequences. — Its opposites are [Ignorance and Falsehood;] Excuses 
and Guess Work. 

UNHAPPINESS. (58) 

58:1. Casting the Blame on Others. — Unhappy people often try to 
persuade themselves and others that some one else is to be blame for 
their being so unhappy; and it is in part true. But only in part; for 
though most forms of suffering may come upon us, because of the 
wrong doing of others, unhappiness is a marked exception and always 
shows that in some way or other we are doing wrong ourselves. And 
just as soon as you turn round and do yonr part properly, you will 
find that no man or woman under heaven, not even your worst enemy 
or unwisest friend, can force upon you that bitterest of all pains which 
we call unhappiness, by the side of which all other suffering is a 
very little thing. 

58:2. Unhappy Christians. — But, says some one, good people are 
often unhappy over the doings of others when they don't seem to be 
doing anything wrong themselves. Yes; but look more closely and 
you will find that though trying hard to do what they call right, they 
are at some point distrusting God, or else resisting the real leadings 
of their own healthier, wiser self. For what we call right and honest- 
ly think right is often but a very faulty statement of our present duty; 
and can bring no large blessing, however well meant, unless it is cor- 
rected and completed by the more silent present leadings of conscience 
and of God. 

58:3. "One Little Thing. 11 — Many a man who calls himself good and 
really does try hard to do right in most things, is very unhappy much 
of the time because of some one thing which he persists in doing; 
though he knows (down in his heart) that it is selfish, wrong, unwise 
or dishonest. 

58.4. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Guess Work and 
Carelessness; Dishonesty and Wrong Doing; Excuses and Ingrati- 
tude. — For opposites, see Happiness. 

WATCHFULNESS. (59) 

59:1. Watchfulness and Worry. — A happy, trustful life will be full of 
watchfulness; but not of worry. For watchfulness comes from an 
eager enthusiasm to do our part, and do it well; while worry comes 

*See Index. 

For Full List of Topics See Index. 



OR SIMPLE HELPS FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 35 

from trying to plan out work which God in his greater wisdom never 
meant we should touch at all, or at least does not wish to have us 
touch now. 

59:2. Cross References. — How to Get More Trust in God, 26:6. Our 
Partnership with God, 5:1. But Just What is God's Part, 5:2. Doing 
Little Things Heartily, 37:3. Why Do We So Often Miss Our Op- 
portunities, 44:1. 

59:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Patience and Do- 
ing Right; Working and Praying. — For opposites see Carelessness, 
Guess Work, and [Pride]. 

WORK. (60) 

60:1. "It Must Be Done :" — To see clearly that a piece of work is 
needed and that it is our privilege or duty to do it, and do it now, al- 
ways makes the work easier. But if you have an anxious, excited or 
desperate feeling that it must be done, regardless of consequences, 
then you may be sure that you are going at it in a wrong and foolish 
way. "But," you say, "what can I do? The work must be done." 
I reply: Take time to J pray over it, and to 2 collect your wits a bit, 
for you can always spare that much time (Section 56:1), and one of 
four things will happen: Either you will find that you are mistaken 
and the work need not be done at all; or, secondly, that God is not 
willing th&t you should do it; or, thirdly, that you should not do it 
now, or at least, not all of it; or, fourthly, you will find some way of 
making it easier. 

60:2. Cross References. — Work and Play, How Related, B:i5. Shall 
the Children Work? 10:2. Shall I Choose the Easiest? 22:1. Work- 
ing for Poor Pay, 32:1. Swapping Work, 32:2. Choosing Your Work 
in Too Great a Hurry, 56:1. Finding Happiness in Your Work, 29:3. 
Work in Heaven, 30:1. 

60:3. Kindred Topics in Other Parts of the Book. — Opportunities and 
Business; Overwork* and Drudgery; Burdens and Rest; Careless- 
ness and Guess Work; Time-Using and Watchfulness. Also Hints 
for Hard Times. 

Wrong Doing. — See Doing Wrong. 



For Full List of Topics See Index. 



Children's Corner 



BIBLE VERSES FOR JOHNNIE. 

B:i. "Let Your Light Shine." — Johnnie is a very little boy, but he 
likes to talk and "study;" so his papa is making a book of Bible 
Verses for him to learn. Here is one of them: "Let your light shine." 
It is found in Matthew 5:16. Can you find it? 

B:2. "My Father s House." — Johnnie's next verse is in John 14: I to 3 
That's a funny name for a book, isn't it? But it's a nice book, and 
here's the verse: "In my Father's house are many homes." Some of 
these homes are in heaven; and some down here; for Jesus loves to 
come and "make his home 1 ' with those who love Him. (See John 14:23.) 

B:3. Trusting and Doing. — Still another of Johnnie's verses is in 
Psalm 37:3 — "Trust in the Lord and do good." It is one his grand- 
ma found for him. And what does it mean? It means that God will 
help you, every day, and give you all that's really good for you that 
day. So you need not ever be afraid. But it also says that you must 
Do Something; doing good every day, and loving what is good, even 
it you can't do much. 

B:4. We hope some time to have a whole big book of these Bible 
Verses for Children. This is only the beginning. But if you and 
your mamma can hunt up some more and send me a part of them, I 
shall be very glad. What I want is verses that even little bits of boys 
and girls can understand pretty well. Your friend, 

Grinnell, Iowa. W. H. Wheeler. 

BOOKS AND PAPERS. 

B:5. "Something Nice" — Little Rose has a book which she calls 
"Something Nice." Can you guess what's in it? Nice things about 
other folks, She can't write herself; but tells her mamma and papa 
what to write and they put it down. Three of her little entries I will 



CHILDREN'S CORNER 37 



copy for you to see: Mamma helps papa; Robby "dited;" and 
Mayo's nice. Some of the nicest ones she gets down a great many 
times. I have seen many such books; perhaps some day you'll let me 
see yours. . Mr. Editor. 

B:6. Johnnie s Writing Desk. — Johnnie has a little box, full of little 
bits of papers which he calls his writing desk; and he often gets it 
out and writes letters and 'tories for Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie 
Emily and Auntie May. Nobody can read Johnnie's stories; but it's 
easy to guess what they mean; and they do Johnnie lots of good. 

CROSSNESS. 

B:7. Too Much Pepper. — When a boy or girl gets cross he has put 
too much pepper in the soup, and makes a great many people suffer. 
But he always suffers most; for there is sure to be three times as much 
pepper in his soup as in anybody else's. 

B:8. James' Testimony. — "When I get cross I am always ashamed 
of myself afterwards." 

HELPING SOMEBODY. 

B:o„ Helping Mamma. — Mamma helps me and I help mamma; that's 
the way to be happy. 

B:io. Washing Dishes. — Johnnie and I wash dishes for mother, and 
little Lucy helps wipe them. Clarence. 

B:ii. Taking Care of Papa. — One day when papa was sick, baby 
Esther took her little doll-quilt and covered him up. Then she gave 
him a kiss and said, "Now feel better;" and papa laughed and said 
he really did feel better. Shouldn't you think he would? 

B:i2. Helping Jesus in Heaven. — Little Stella loved to help others 
here; and now she is in heaven helping Jesus. 

OBEYING. 

B:i3. Obeying Mamma Quickly. — Ethel likes to jump and play; but 
when her mamma calls her she goes very quickly. 

B:i4. Obeying My Mother. — My mother says she isn't perfect; and 
makes mistakes. But I know she's real nice and knows a great deal 
more than I do. That's why I ought to be glad to do what she tells 
me to; and that's why she makes me do it, so that I may be as nice 
as she is and perhaps a little nicer, when I grow up. That's what 
she says, Rollo. 



3 8 CHILDREN'S CORNER 



PLAY. 

B:i5. Work and Play. — I like pl-ay and mother says that play is one 
kind of work, real helpful work. Only it's the easiest kind; and she 
says that if I want to be a good, strong woman, I must do some hard 
work too; some hard work and some easy work, and some very easy 
work (or play), and do them all nicely. Bessie. 

B:i6. Making a Noise. — Yes, my boy, make plenty of noise; it's 
good for boys; only don't make it except when mother says you may. 

SLEEPING. 

B:i7. Early to Bed. — If I don't get sleep enough, it makes me cross; 
and if I stay in bed when I ought to get up and go to work, it makes 
me cross. So "Early to bed and quick to rise" is my motto for bed 
time and morning. James. 

TALKING WITH MAMMA. 

B:i8. Bible Stories for Baby. — When little Minnie was two years old, 
her mamma used often to sing to her: 

Jesus loves me, this I know, 

For the Bible tells me so; 

Little ones to Him belong; 

They are weak, but he is strong. 
And baby would say, "Desus dove baby," and "Baby dove mamma;" 
and then she would ask for some stories about Jesus. In simple, 
baby talk the stories sounded funny; but baby liked them, and mam- 
ma liked them, and papa liked them too. 

THINKING OF OTHERS. 

B:io,. Shut the Door. — Shut the door, when you come in and when 
you go out; for mamma's feet are not as warm as yours. 

WORK. 

B:20. Cooking. — I am learning to cook; and on Saturdays I have 
full charge of the dinner and supper. Gracie Freeman. 

B:2i. Selling Kindlings. — Father bought half a cord of soft wood 
for me; then I sawed and split it and sold it for kindlings. Peter. 

B:22. Working for Music Lessons. — Mollie Brown helps Mrs. King 
three hours every Saturday, and gets a music lesson in return. 



NDEX 



TO THE BETTER WAY 

Definitions are in italics. 

Numbers refer to sections and paragraphs. 

B refers to the Children's Corner, which begins on Page 36. 

Kindred Topics (or K Ts) refer the reader to topics in other parts of the book 
which may help him in his studies. 

Capitals. — Where single words (like Love and Truth) are spelled with a capi- 
tal, they are section titles; but when capitals are not used (as in worry and haste), 
the reference can be found only by looking first in the index. 

Brackets. — Topics in brackets — e. g. [Pride] — have not as yet been discussed in 
any part of the book; but may be helpful to the reader. 



Abuse — 

K Ts, Ingratitude and Temper. 

Accidents — 

See Suffering and Criticising; (esp. 
10:5 and 52:2). 

Accommodating — 

K Ts, Kindness and [Policy.] 

Accuracy- 
Spending Time on Little Things. 37:3 
K Ts, Carelessness, Little Things 
and Truth. 

Acknowledgements — 

K Ts, Talking and Thankfulness. 

Advice — Section i. 

Advising Discouraged People... 17:1 

The Final Decision 19:2 

Shall I Take It? 1:1 

Talking Too Long 53:2 

Kindred Topics 1^3 

Affability — See Talking. 

Affection — Misplaced Affection 13:1 

K Ts — Courtship, Loneliness, 
Home, and, in a more general 
way, Love. 

Affliction- 
See Suffering- and Mourners, 



Afraid — See fear. 

Agnosticism — How to Find God... 26:6 

Aims in Business, 6:1 

Aims of a Happy Life 29:5 

Aimlessness — Effects of 21:1 

K Ts, Carelessness, Drudgery, etc. 

Alcoholic Drinks — 

See ''using alcoholic drinks." 

Alienation — See misunderstandings. 

Amiability — ■ 

K Ts, The Easy Way and Kind- 
ness. 

Amusements — See Rest and play. 

Anger— Section 2. 
Fighting Tt Out the Same Day. . . 2:2 
Helps in Regaining Your Self- 
control When Angry.. 2:3 

Is It Right to Get Angry? 2:1 

Two Fools Instead of One 54:2 

Kindred Topics 2:5 

Annoyances — 

Praying Over Little Things 48:1 

K Ts — Burdens, Crossness and 
Temper. 



}o 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



17:1 



19:2 

53:i 



53:i 



26:6 



Anxiety- 
See worry, fear, and Burdens. 
Appearances — 

K T Guess Work. 
Arguments — 

Are not Suited to Discouraged 

People 

Arguments alone cannot settle a 

question of duty in real life 

Talking Too Long 

Also see discussion and word 
proofs. 
Argumentativeness — 

Talking Too Long 

Atheism — 

Different Kinds of, and Their 

Cure 

Avarice — See covetousness. 
Axioms — 

Of Right 19:1 

Approach toward them in the 

statement of truth 57 :2 

Babies — See Children. 
Backsliding — 

Study carefully Doing Right, 
Doing Wrong and Godliness. 
Bad Luck — See Suffering. 
Bad Temper — See Temper. 

Bashful Silence 53:1 

Beauty Alone Not Enough 13:1 

Bed Time B:i7 

Beliefs— 

K Ts, Truth and Differences of 
Opinion. 
Benevolence (or love at work) — 
As a Motive in Business and in 

Life 6:1 

As a Source of Happiness and 

Growth 31:1 

For K Ts see Love. 
Besetting Sins — Section 3. 

How to Overcome Them. 3:1 

Kindred Topics 3:2 

Bible- 
Bible Stories for Baby B:i8 

Bible Verses for Children B:i to 4 

For lists of Bible verses quoted, or 
referred to, see titles of various 
books. 



Bigotry (a narrow and short-sight- 
ed earnestness.) 

Also see earnestness and Guess 
Work. 
Bitterness — 

See Unhappiness and Temper. 
Blame — 
Blaming Others for Our Unhap- 
piness 58:1 

K Ts, Temper, Criticising and 
rebuke. 
Blessings — 

Born of Suffering 52:1 and 36:1 

God's Larger Ones 26:4 

Noticing the Little Ones «:l 

Blues- 
Praying Over Little Things 48:1 

What Does God Require of Us?. 26:2 

When Cheer Grows Dim 9:2 

K Ts, Burdens — Great and Small, 
Discouragement, Little Things, 
Loneliness, Misfortunes, etc. 
Blunders — 
K Ts, Guess Work and Careless- 
ness. 
Boisterousness — See noise. 
Books — Section 4 

"Books and Papers," (Children's 

Corner) 6:5 and 6 

Books of Remembrance 36:2 

How to Read 4:1 

Laying up Treasure for Others.. 4:3 

Reading Too Much •.. 4:2 

Kindred Topics 4:4 

Borrowed Money — • 

Return it Promptly 6:2 

Boys— 

(All the simpler parts of the book.) 
(Also Children, Home and the 
Children's Corner, page 36.) 

Brain — Clear and Quiet 49:1 

Bright Side of Life 36:1 

Bungler (an unskillful, careless and 

yet conceited workman). 
Burdens — Great and Small — Section 5. 

The Bright Side 36:1 

How to Bear Them More Easily. 5:1 

Just What is God's Part? 5 :2 

Seemingly Unbearable Ones 19:7 

Tomorrow's Burdens 5:3 

Kindred Topics S'-S 

For Key to Index See Page 39 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



Business— Section 6. ! 

How to Start Up the Ladder.... 32:1 

Our Motives in Business. 6:1 

Returning Borrowed Money 

Promptly 6:2 

Simply Yes or No 19:2 



Kindred Topics 

Buying — 

By Exchange of Work 

Versus Making for Yourself 

Cant — 

The Cant of Others, No Excuse 

for Truth-Despising 

Care (has two meanings) — 

K Ts, anxiety and carefulness. 
Carefulness — 

In Little Things, When Neces- 



64 



32:2 
32:3 



57:1 



sary 5 



37:3 



K Ts, Watchfulness and Patience. 
For opposites see Carelessness, 
haste and Guess Work. 
Carelessness — Section 7. 



32:1 
58:1 
44:1 



29:2 

7:3 
57:1 

28:1 



19:4 



Carelessness and Failure 

Casting the Blame on Others . 

Despising Little Opportunities 

Is Sure to Bring Trouble 7:1 

Learning to Do Better by Ex- 
ample 

Kindred Topics 

Casuistry — How to Use the Truth. . 
Certainty — 

How Far Possible 

Also see axioms. 
Chafing (a restless longing for more 

liberty.) — K T, Restlessness. 
Change- 
Little Changes Are Often Helpful. 

Longing for It Impatiently 50:1 

Character — Section 8. 

A Pure Heart 8:2 

Where to Begin 8:1 

Kindred Topics 8:3 

Charity (in judging others)— ■ 

See Criticising Others Sec. 14. 

Why Honest Men Can Differ .... 16:1 
Chastity — See sexual sins. 

Cheapness — "Only Fifty Cents" 32:3 

Cheating — See Dishonesty. 

Cheer and Cheerfulness — Section 9. 

Helping Each Other in Heaven. . 30:1 

Hunting for Good News 36:2 

For Key to Index See Page j>p 



Only a Smile 

Patience and Sunshine 

The Secret of Cheerfulness. . . 
Sending Good News Reports. 

When Cheer Grows Dim 

Kindred Topics 



31:2 

45:1 

9:1 

9:3 
9:2 

9:5 
Children— Section 10. 

Crossness in General 10:4 

Going Into Repentance Corner.. 

10:4 and 6 

Idle Hands 10:1 

Letting the Children Help 10:2 

Praying About Little Things 48 : 1 

Rebuking Children Needlessly, or 

Too Sharply 10:5 

Unaccountable Crossness 10:3 

Your Example 10:7 

Kindred Topics 10:9 

Children's Corner Pages 36 to 39 

Christ— 

As a Friend 1 1 : 1 

Also see Jesus (in index); and 
Prayer and Christlikeness. 
Christians — 

Attractive Christians 11:2 

Happy Christians II :l and 29:5 

Unhappy Christians 58 :2 

K Ts, Godliness and Christlike- 
ness. 
Christlikeness— Section 11. 

Helping Others to Know Christ. . 11:2 

Knowing Him Well Yourself 11:1 

Kindred Topics 11:3 

Circumstances — 

(Something on nearly every page.) 

Classifying Thoughts 51:1 

Clear and Quiet Brain 49:1 

Clear Insight — Some helps in get- 
ting it are the following: 

Well Digested Reading 4:1 

Studying the Things That Are Al- 
ready Clearest 51:3 

Careful Reviews 51:1 

Love of Truth 57:3 

Obedience to the Real Leadings 

of Conscience 19:1 and 2 

Working for the Good of Oth- 
ers 9:1 and 31:1 

Gratitude to God 5^ :i 

A Good Example 29:2 and 1 1 :2 



42 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



26:6 



57:2 



51:1 



14:3 



Clear Insight — 

Four Ways of Lessening It. 
Clearness of Statement — 

Importance of 

Closeness — See covetousness. 
Comfort — 

When to Seek It? 22:1 

Comfort and Home 23:1 

K Ts, Kindness, Rest and health. 
Comforting Others — 

Study carefully Life, Love, Kind- 
ness, Godliness, Prayer, Jesu9 
(Sec. 11), Truth, Cheer, Suffer- 
ing, Example and How to Help 

Discouraged People (17:1) 

Common Place Books — 

Envelopes are Better 

Communicativeness — See Talking. 
Compensation — See Suffering. 
Condemning Others too Persistent 

iy 

K Ts Crossness, and other parts 
of Section 14. 
Confusion — 

How to Lessen it 19:4 and Sec. 45 

K Ts Little Things and Guess 
Work. 
Conscience {or the leadings of our 

deeper life) See 19:1 

Also study carefully the whole 

section on Doing Right, where 

it is often referred to. 

Conscientiousness {an habitual wish 

to do right) 

Conscientiousness Alone is Not 

Enough -58:2 and 19:1 

Consecration— See holiness. 
Consequences— 

For a list of some of them see 
Section 12. 
Considerate — See Kind. 

Contempt for Others 14:2 

Contentment (in its higher forms) — 
K Ts Godliness, Thankfulness, 
Doing Right and Happiness. 
Controversy — 

K Ts discussion and Criticising. 
Conversation — See Talking. 
Convictions — 
K Ts, knowledge, opinion and 
Truth. 



Cooking — Learning How B:2o 

Cooperation — Swapping Work.... 32:2 
Cordiality — 
K Ts Love, Cheerfulness, Kind- 
ness, Thankfulness and Pa- 
tience. 

Corinthians (1 Cor. 3:9) 5:1 

Counsel— See Advice. 
Courage — 

K Ts, Burdens, Great and Small, 
Godliness, Happiness (esp. 29:5) 
and [Self-Forgetfulness.] 
Courtesy — See politeness. 
Courtship — Section 13. 

Not Going by Guess Work 28:1 

Praying Over It 48:1 

Smartness and Beauty 13:1 

Taking Advice 1 :i 

Kindred Topics 13:3 

Covetousness — 

Loveliness First: Money Second. 42:1 
K Ts, Restlessness and Money. 
Cowardice {an unmanly and im- 
proper fear) — See fear. 
Creeds — See beliefs. 
Criticising Others— Section 14. 

Criticising Too Persistently 14:3 

Despising Others 14:2 

Poisoning Your Own Life 14:4 

Speaking Kindly 14:1 

Kindred Topics 14:5 

Crossness— Section 15. 

Of Adults 15:1 

Of Children in General 10:4 

James' Testimony, or Ashamed 

of It B:8 

Too Much Pepper B7 

Unaccountable Crossness of Chil- 
dren 10:3 

Kindred Topics 15:3 

Crude Thoughts— 

Sometimes of Great Value 51 3 

Curiosity {a rather aimless desire for 
knowledge; often unhealthy, but 
not always). 
Death— 
K Ts, Mourners, Suffering and 
Heaven. 
Debates- 
How to Debate More Success- 
fully 57^ 



For Key to Index See Page jq 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



43 



Debts— Paying Them Promptly... 6:2 

Dejection — See blues. " 

Delay— 

K Ts, Postponing and Restless- 
ness. 

Depression — 

K Ts, sickness and blues. 

Desires — See longings. 

Despising Others 14:2 

Despondency — See blues. 

Details— See Little Things. 

Deuteronomy (Deut. 33:25) 5,2 

Differences of Opinion— Section 16. 

Why Honest Men Can Differ 16:1 

For Unfriendly Differences see 

misunderstandings. 
Kindred Topics 16:2 

Difficulties- 
How to Start Up the Ladder 32:1 

Praying About Them 48:1 

What to Do When in Doubt 19:4 

K Ts, Burdens, Drudgery, Pover- 
ty, Suffering, etc, 

Diffidence 53:1 

Digesting What We Read 4:2 and 1 

Disadvantages — See difficulties. 

Disagreeable People — 
See Criticising and Love. 

Disagreeable Work — 

K Ts, Drudgery and Suffering. 

Disagreements, Great and Small- 
See misunderstandings. 

Disappointments — 

K Ts, Suffering, Misfortunes, and 
often Unhappiness and Cross- 
ness. 

Disapproval — 
Just Disapproval versus Anger.. 2:1 
For K Ts see Temper and Criti- 
cising. 

Discernment — See "clear insight." 

Discipline — See punishment. 

Discomfort — 

Kindred Topics. 52:4 

AlsO see comfort. 

Discontent — 
See contentment, also sections on 
Crossness, Temper, Guess 
Work, Restlessness and Un- 
happiness. 



Discouragement — Section 17. 

Don't Carry God's Part of the 

Burden 59:1 and 19:4 

Exaggerating our Misfortunes ... 41:1 

How to Get God's Help 5:1 and 48:1 

How to Help Discouraged People 17:1 

How to Start Up the Ladder 32:1 

Just How Much Ts God Willing 

to Do? 5 

What Does God Require of Us.. 26 



U 



57:1 



57:2 
16:1 



Kindred Topics 

Discussion — 
How and When to Use Truth. 
How to Increase the Power of 
Truth 

Why Honest Men Can Differ... 
K Ts, Talking, logic and word- 
proof. 

Disheartened — 
See Discouragement. 

Dishonesty — Section 18 

Calling It by Some Other Name.. 18:2 

Dishonesty and Unhappiness 18:1 

Dishonesty in "One Little Thing" 58:3 
Kindred Topics 18:4 

Disinterestedness — 

K Ts, Love and [Self-Forgetful- 
ness]. 

Dislikes — 

K Ts — Temper and Criticising. 

Disputes — See misunderstandings. 

Distrust in God and Its Consequen- 
ces 19:7 and 58:2 

Also see trust. 

Docility — 
When and How Far Desirable.. 1:1 

Doctrines — See beliefs. 

Dodging — 
See Excuses and evasion. 

Does It Pay?— 

Hastily Chosen Work 56:1 

Wrong Things That Look Right. 20:1 

Doing Good — See Helping. 

Doing Right— Section 19 

Apparent Confusion Between 

Right and Wrong 19:5 

Doing Right Willingly. . 19:7 and 29:5 

Don't Stop to Explain 19:6 

Godliness and Love of Right 19:3 

How to Decide 19:2 



For Key to Index See Page 39 



44 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



Is It Always Easy and Pleasant? 19:7 

Right and Wrong Defined 19:1 

Simply Yes or No 19:2 

What to Do When In Doubt 19:4 

Kindred Topics 19:9 

Doing Wrong — Section 20 
Defined 19:1 



Does It Pay: 



How Related to Unhappiness 58:1 and 2 

In Little Things 20:2 

In "One Little Thing" 58:3 

Kindred Topics 20:4 

Doubt- 
How to Get More Trust in God. . 26:6 

What to Do When in Doubt 19:4 

K T, Negations. 
Dread — See fear. 
Drifting — 

Choosing the Easiest Way 22:1 

Also see Postponing. 
Drudgery — Section 21. 

Why Do We Sometimes Hate 

Our Work? . 21:1 

Kindred Topics 21:2 

Drunkards (repentant) — 

See "using alcoholic drinks" 
Duty — See Doing Right. 

Dwelling on the Hard Things 52:2 

Early to Bed B:i7 

Earnestness — 

K Ts, Love, Watchfulness, hope; 
and a sense of the importance 
of one's work. 
The Easy Way — Section 22. 

When to Choose It 22:1 

Kindred Topics 22:2 

Eating Too Much (mentally) 4:2 

Economy — 

Of Time. See Time-Using. 

Of Strength. See health. 

Of Money (in Hard Times) 32:3 

Education— 

K Ts — Books, Character, Chil- 
dren, Study and many others. 
Effects — See Consequences. 
Employment — 

See Opportunities, Work and 
Hints for Hard Times. 
Energy — 

A Clear and Quiet Brain 49:1 

Also health. 



Enjoyment — 

• Enjoying Christ's Love 11:1 

Enjoying God 26:7 

Also see pleasure. 
Enthusiasm [strong love for one's 

work) — Also see earnestness. 
Envelopes— 

For use in classifying thoughts. . 51:1 

Ephesians (Eph. 4:26) 2:1 

Errors — See mistakes. 
Ethics [the science and theory of 
right)— 
Enables us to see more quickly 
where duty probably lies; but 
taken alone is not a safe guide 
in actually deciding what to do 

19:1 and 2 
Evasion [trying to dodge a disagree- 
able truth or charge instead of 
manfully facing it) — 
K Ts, Guess Work, fear and often 
selfishness. Also see Excuses. 
Evenings — Section 23. 

How to Use Them 23:1 

Kindred Topics 23 :2 

Evil— 
For K Ts see Wrong Doing and 
Suffering; for the word is used 
in these two very different 
senses. 

Exaggerating Our Misfortunes 41:1 

Example Section 24. 

A Good Example 24:1 

Learning by the Successes of 

Others 24:2 

Learning to be Happy by Exam- 
ple . 29:2 

A Lovely Example 29:2 and 24:1 

Our Example at Home 10:7 

Winning Others by Example 11:2 

Kindred Topics 24:4 

E xchanging Work 32 :2 

Excuses — 
For a list of some of them see Sec- 
tion 25. 
K T, evasion. 
Exhaustion — 

Often Wholly— Unnecessary 56:1 

Expectations — 

K Ts, plans and hopes. 
Experience — 
K Ts, Life and knowledge. 



For Key ' to Index See Page 39 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



45 



Explanations — 

Should Not be too Long 53:2 

When AW Helpful..." la: 2 

Extremists — 

Study carefully 57:1 and 2. 

K Ts, Guess Work and Restless- 
ness. 
Facts— K T Truth. 
Failings — See faults. 
Failure — 

Seeming Failures When Really 
Trying to Do Right. . . 19:4 last part 

For K Ts see disappointment. 
Fairness — 

K Ts, Kindness, Love and justice. 
Faith — 

See trusting and beliefs. 
Faithfulness — 

Is Sure of a Reward 32:1 

K Ts, Patience (esp. 45:2) and 
Love of Right, (Section 19.) 
Fallacies— K Ts, word-proofs. 
Fallen Men and Women — 

See sexual sins. 
Family Life— See Home. 
Fascination — 

K Ts, Restlessness and Guess 
Work. 
Fashion — 

When Shall I Follow It? 1:1 

Fatalism— See pessimism. 
Fathers — See Home and Children. 
Faults — Our Own and Others' — 

(Look for the ones you specially 
need to study.) 

Also see Criticising. 

Fault Finding 14:3 

Fear — (a ^proper or ^improper 
drawing back from pain.) 

Study Suffering and the list of K 
Ts there given; esp. Burdens 
— Great and Small. 

Fighting It Out the Same Day 2.2 

Firmness with Children 10:2 

Flirtation — 

Little Things 37:1 

Also see Courtship. 
Fluency — K Ts, style and Talking. 
Fools — 

Two Instead of One 54:2 



Foresight — See "clear insight." 

Forgiveness — 

Asking God for Forgiveness 10:6 

Evidences of a Forgiving Spirit. . 2:2 

Forgive To-day 54:1 and 2:2 

Helps Towards Forgiveness 
(Prayer and Love; also 2:3 and 14:2) 

Fornication — See sexual sins. 

Fraud — See Dishonesty. 

Fretfulness (crossness caused in part 
by sickness) — 
For Treatment (even in adults) 
see 10:3 and 17:1. 
Friendliness — 
K Ts, generally Kindness and 
Love; but sometimes selfish- 
ness, wholly or in part. 
Friendship — 

The Friendship of Jesus 11:1 

Think of Your Best Friends Often 29:2 

Fun — Meanness and Fun 40:1 

Fussing (spending time unprofitably 
and anxiously on little things) 

Its Cure 60:1 and 37:3 

Future — The Future — See hope. 
Gambling— 

K Ts, Restlessness and Abuse of 
Money, (Sections 50 and 42). 
Generalizations— When Helpful?.. 19:2 
Generosity (has two meanings) — 
K Ts, Money and forgiveness. 
Genesis 32:26— See 10:6. 
Gentleness— 

K Ts, tenderness and Kindness. 
Getting Cross — See Crossness. 
Girls — 
All the simpler parts of the book. 
— Also see Children, Home and 
Children's Corner. 
Gladness — 

Homes Where There Is None 42:1 

K Ts, Goodness, Happiness and 
Love. 
Gloominess — 

K Ts, blues and pessimism. 
God- 
God's Care for Us 26:5 

God's Character 26:3 



For Key to Itidcx See Page jg 



46 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



God's Larger Blessings 26:4 

God's Requirements of Man 26:2 

How to Find God 26:6 

Our Wiser Partner 5:1 

Also other topies under Godliness. 
Godliness — Section 26. 

God Knows It All 26:1 

God's Care 26:5 

God's Larger Blessings, Why Not 

Offered to Every One? 26:4 

Godliness and Love of Right 19:3 

Godliness and Worry 59:1 

How to Get More Trust in God. . 26:6 
How to Glorify and Enjoy Him. . 26:7 
Lessons in Love; or The Effects 

of Walking With God 26:3 

Our Wiser Partner and the Help 

He Offers 5:1 and 2 

Trusting and Doing B 13 

What Does God Require of Us?.. 26:2 
What Is God's Part and What 

Mine? 5:2 and 19:4 

Kindred Topics 26:9 

Good Example — See Example. 
Goodness — 

Goodness and Happiness, How 

Related? 29:1 

K Ts, Doing Right, Character, 
loveliness, Godliness, Christ- 
likeness and many others. 

Good News Books 36:2 

Good News Books for Children B 15 

Good News Cards 9:3 

Good News Reports 9:3 

Good Will— 

K Ts, Kindness and Benevolence. 
Gossip— Section 27. 

How and When to Use the 



Truth 



Little Things That Darken Other 



Lives. 



57:1 



37:i 



May Be True and Still Be Gossip 27:1 

Two Fools Instead of One 54:2 

Kindred Topics 27:3 

Governing Children — See Children. 

Gratitude — 
See Thankfulness and Ingratitude. 

Greatness — 
Foundations Where Laid? 8:1 



Growth — 

As a Reward of Love 31:1 

K Ts, Study, Work, Rest, Home, 
Little Things and manv others. 

Grumbling — See fault finding. 

Guess Work— Section 28. 

Avoid It in Life 28:1 

Avoid It in Study 51:3 

Don't Always Choose the Easiest 

Way 22:1 

What to Do When in Doubt 19:4 

Kindred Topics 28:3 

Habits- 
How Good Ones Grow 57:3 

How to Overcome Bad Ones 3:1 

Happiness— Section 29. 

The Bright Side of Life 36:1 

Enjoying God 26:7 and 6 

Finding Happiness in Your Work 29:3 

Goodness and Happiness. 29:1 

Happiness and Poverty 47:1 

Learning by Example 29:2 

Longing for Happiness 29:4 

Love, Happiness and Usefulness, 

How Related 31:1 and 29:5 

The Secret of Abundant Happi- 
ness 29:5 

Kindred Topics 29:7 

Hardship — 
See Suffering, Hard Times, Pov- 
erty, etc. 

Hard Things— Dwelling on Them . . 52:2 

Hard Times— See Hints for Hard 
Times. 

Harshness [undue severity)— 
Study Temper, Anger, rebuke 
and punishment. 

Haste [too much hurry) — ■ 

"I Haven't Time" 56:1 

"It Must Be Done" 60:1 

K T, Restlessness. 

Hating Our Work 21 :1 

"He Ought too See the Point" 57:2 

Health— 
Don't Let Your Work Drive You. 60:1 

Take Time to Care for It 56:1 

K Ts, Home, Evenings, Rest, 
Work, etc. 

Heartiness — 

Doing Little Things Heartily 37:3 

Also see cordiality. 



For Key to Index See Page jg 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



47 



Heaven— Section 30. 

•. Helping Jesus in Heaven B:i2 

Love and Helpfulness. in Heaven. 30:1 
A New Translation of John 14:2. . B:2 
Things That Easily Remind Us 
of Heaven 30:3 

Heedlessness — K T, Carelessness. 

Helpfulness— Section 31. 

Helping Each Other in Heaven.. 30:1 

Helping Jesus in Heaven B:i2 

Helping Mamma B:o. 

"Helping Somebody" 6:9-12 

Love, Happiness and Growth, 

How Related 31:1 

Only a Smile 31 :2 

Kindred Topics 31 :4 

Hesitation — 

What to Do When in Doubt 19:4 

KTs, irresolution and Postponing. 

Hindrances — See difficulties. 

Hints for Hard Times— Section 32, 

The Bright Side of It All 36:1 

Don't Always Take the Easiest 

Way 22:1 

How to Start Up the Ladder 32:1 

In Partnership with God 5:1 

Praying About Little Things 48:1 

Swapping Work 32 :2 

Using Idle Moments 32:3 

Kindred Topics 32:5 

Holiness [giving ones self up 

eagerly to God's service and 

to trusting and obeying Him)— 

K Ts, Godliness, Christlikeness 

and Prayer. 

Home— Section 33. 

Home Loving Hearts 33:1 

"I Have Many Homes" B:2 

Let Your Light Shine at Home... 8:1 

A Lonely Home 13:1 

Loveliness First, Money Second. 42:1 

The Poor Man's Home 47:1 

Kindred Topics 33:3 

Homeliness — 
Often Proves a Blessing at Last. . 52:1 
Also see Loneliness, Suffering and 
Prayer. 

Homesickness— See Loneliness. 
Ho«est Differences of Opinion 16:1 



Honesty — 

See Dishonesty, Right and Love. 
Hope and Hopefulness — 

Fearlessly Doing Right Brings 

Hope 29:5 

K Ts, Trust in God (Section 26), 
Doing Right, Love and Cheer- 
fulness. Also energy. 

How to Start Up the Ladder 32:1 

Hungering for Righteousness — 

Motto on title page. 
Hurry {may be either proper or im- 
proper) — 
For Improper Hurry see haste. 

"I Can't Help It" 3:1 

"I Can't Tell What's Right" 19:4 

"I Did It Just for Fun 40:1 

"I Haven't Time" 56:1 

"I Have No Chances" 44:1 

"I've Got To" 60:1 

"I Must" 60:1 

Ideals — 
K Ts, Truth, Guess Work and 
hope. 
Idleness — 

Idle Hands 10:1 

Idle Moments 32:3 

Proper Postponing, No Excuse 

for Idleness 46:1 

Impatience — 

K Ts, Restlessness, Drudgery, 
Temper, haste, etc. 
Imperfection — Seeing Tt 

See Criticising. 
Impetuosity — 

K Ts, haste and Guess Work. 
Importance of Things Often Great- 
er Than It Seems 37:1 

Imprudence — 
K Ts, Guess Work, Carelessness, 
Restlessness, overwork, etc. 
Impulsiveness — 

See Guess Work and haste. 
Impurity — See sexual sins. 
Inaccuracy — 
K Ts, Guess Work, haste or Care- 
lessness. 
Inclination — See longing. 



For Key to Index See Page 39 



4S 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



10:5 



10:3 



26:6 



Indecision [unwillingness to defi- 
nitely face a difficulty and de- 
cide what the next step shall be) 
K Ts, Postponing, Guess Work, 
fear and too much or else un- 
timely thinking. 
Indifference — 
K Ts, [Ignorance], Carelessness 
or else selfishness and Ingrati- 
tude. 
Indignation — See Anger. 
Indiscretion — 

K Ts, Guess Work and haste. 
Industry (or love of work) — 
K Ts, Work and Patience. 

Inexperienced Little Neighbors 

Infants— ' 

Misunderstanding Them 10:5 

Unaccountable Crossness 

Also see Children. 
Inference— See word-proof. 
Infidelity — 

How to Get More Trust in God 
K Ts, negation, Criticising, beliefs, 
etc. 
Influence— 
The Secret of a Growing Influence 31 :i 
Also see Example. 
Ingratitude — Section 34. 

Helps in Bearing It 34:1 

Kindred Topics 34:2 

Injustice — See justice. 
Insight — See "clear insight." 
Insincerity — Words Not Enough. . . 35:1 
Intemperance — See "using alcoholic 

drinks." 
Interest — Loss of 

K Ts, Drudgery and need of Rest. 
Intuition — 

K Ts, conscience and insight. 
Invalids— See sickness. 
Irksomeness — See Drudgery. 
Irresolution — ■ 

What to Do When in Doubt 19:4 

K Ts, Guess Work, fear, Post- 
poning, and not-well-controlled 
[Thoughtfulness]. 
Irritability — 
K Ts, Temper, Crossness and 
sickness. 



"It Must Be Done" 60:1 

"It's True, Anyway 57:1 and 27:1 

Jesus — 

Helping Jesus in Heaven B:i2 

Helping Others to Know Him... 11:2 

"Jesus loves me, this I know" B:i8 

Knowing Him Better 11:1 

Kindred Topics 11:3 

John (Gospel of), Chapter 14:2 and 3 B:2 

Johnnie's Bible Verses B:i to 4 

Johnnie's Writing Desk B:6 

Jokes That Hurt 40:1 

Joy — See Happiness. 

Judging Others— See Criticising. 

Judgment— 
For Good Judgment see "clear 

insight." 
For unsafe judgment, see mere 
"word proof." 

Justice (in thought and act)— 

Study Criticising, Differences of 
Opinion and Right. 

Keeping Thoughts for Study 51:1 

Kindness— Section 35. 

Kindness and Fun 40:1 

Kind Words Not Enough 35:1 

Kindliness and Patience 45:1 

Kindly Criticism 14:1 

A Loving Hurt 35:3 

Mistaken Kindness 35:2 

Kindred Topics 35:5 

Knowledge (real knowledge) — 
K Ts, "clear insight" and Truth. 
Opposites, Guess Work and [Ig- 
norance.] 
Also see opinions and [Half- 
Truths.] 

Labor — See Work. 

Ladder — 
How to Start Up the Ladder 32:1 

Language — 
See Study, word-proofs, Talking, 
etc. 

Laying up Treasure for Others 4:3 

Laziness — 
K Ts, Drudgery, Guess Work and 
Carelessness. 

Leadership — K T, influence. 
For Key to Index See Page jg 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



49 



Learning — 

Learning to Cook : B:2o 

Ways of Learning. See ways. 

Lessons in Love 26:3 

Let Your Light Shine B:i 

Libraries — 
See Books, Newspapers, etc. 

Life in General— Section 36. 

A Book of Remembrance 36:2 

Is Full of Opportunities 44:i 

Its Bright Side 36:1 

Things in Life that Easily Re- 
mind us of Heaven 30:3 

Kindred Topics 36:3 

Lights- 
Shining Lights B:i 

Little Things— Section 37. 

Beware How You Call Things 

. Little 37:i 

Doing Wrong in Little Things. . . 20:2 

Little Blessings 55:1 

Little Minutes.... 37:2 

"Little Things" and Unhappiness 58:3 

Praying About Little Things 48:1 

Spending Time on Little Things 37:3 
Also see fussing and many others. 

Logic— 

K Ts, Truth, explanation, [Em- 
phasis,] probability and Guess 
Work. 

Loneliness— Section 38. 

How to Cure It 38:1 

Books of Remembrance 36:2 

A Lonely Married Life 13:1 

When Cheer Grows Dim 9:2 

Kindred Topics 38:3 

Longfellow, H. W. (quoted) 33:1 

Longing - 

Impatient Longing. , 50:1 

Longing for Pleasure 29:4 

Unsatisfied. See disappoint- 
ments. 

Looks — 

Kind Looks 35 : 1 

Love—' Section 39. 

As a Motive in Business and Life 6:1 
As a Source of Happiness and 

Growth 31:1 

Can Not Be in Vain 24:1 

How to Increase It 39:2 



39:2 
30:1 
39:i 



Is Like Wheat 

Love in Heaven 

Why Do We Love Men?... 

Kindred Topics 39:4 

Loveliness — 

The Influence of a Lovely Life. . 24:1 

Loveliness First, Money Second 42:1 

Versus mere Beauty and Smart- 
ness . .. 13:1 

K Ts, See under Christlikeness. . 11:3 
Low Spirits — See blues. 
Lust — See sexual sins. 

Making a Noise B:i6 

Manners — See politeness. 

Marriage— Section 13. 

Foolish Marriages 13:1 

K Ts, See Home. 
Masturbation — See sexual sins. 
Matthew- 
Matthew 5:6. See Title Page. 

5:3 8:2 

5:16 B:i 

6:34 5:3 

Meanness — Section 40 

Meanness and Fun 40:1 

For K Ts, see unkindness. 
Melancholy — 

Study section on Cheerfulness. 

Also see blues and pessimism. 
Memory — 

One Way of Improving It 4:1 

Merit Is Always Recognized — 

Gladly Though Often Silently... 24:1 

Or Reluctantly But Really 34:1 

Methodicalness (an unwise mixing 
together of thought work and 
active work, so that you cannot 
do as well in either) — 

Simply Yes or No 19:2 

Using Truth at the Wrong Time 57:1 

K Ts, [unrestrained though tful- 
ness or love of work.] 

Does It Pay? 20:1 

Minutes — 

A Minute a Day 37:2 

Mischief and Idleness 10:1 

Misdirected Ambition 6:1 and 42:1 

Misdirected Zeal 59:1 and 5:1 



For Key to Index See Page jg 



50 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



Misfortunes— Section 41. 

Don't Exaggerate Them 41:1 

Kindred Topics 52:4 

Mistakes — 

Mistaken Kindness 35:2 

K Ts, Guess Work, Carelessness, 
haste, Excuses and, in part, mere 
[Ignorance]. 
Misunderstandings — 
Study Temper, Patience and Do- 
ing Right. 
Other K Ts are Criticising, Cross- 
ness, Differences of Opinion, 
Drudgery, Ingratitude, Misfor- 
tunes and Talking Too Much. 
Money — Section 42. 

Loveliness First; Money Second 42:1 
Money Making as a Chief End. . 6:1 

Kindred Topics 42 13 

Moods — 

K Ts, Temper, Crossness, Guess 
Work and Unhappiness. 
Moral Science — See ethics. 

Motives in Business and Life 6:1 

Mourners — Section 43. 

.Those Who Have Gone Before.. 43:1 

Kindred Topics 43:2 

Music Lessons, Working for B:22 

Must-Be Plans— 

As a Cause of Crossness 15:1 

Need Careful Testing 60:1 

"My Father's House" B:2 

Narcotics — See smoking and opium. 
Narrowness — 

Needs Patience, pity, time and 

[training]. 
K Ts, [Ignorance] and bigotry. 
Naturalness — 

K Ts, insight and Right. 

Nearness to Christ 11:1 

Necessity — 

Often Only Apparent or Partial 60:1 
Negations — 

Using Truth Unwisely 57:1 

K Ts, Criticising and Restlessness. 
Negligence — See Carelessness. 
Nervousness — 
K Ts, over-work, 60:1, and Wrong 
Doing (19:1;) often in so?ne very 



little thing. 

For Key to Index See Page jg 



News — 

K Ts, Newspapers, Truth and 

Gossip. 
Also see "good news." 
Newspapers— Section 4. 

How to Read 4:1 

Laying Up Treasure for Others. . 4:3 

Reading Too Much 4:2 

For K Ts, see Books and Gossip. 

No— Simply Yes or No 19:2 

Noble {lovely, strong and true, both 

in great things and in small.) — 

K Ts, Godliness, Doing Right, 

' Happiness, loveliness, Home, 

Character, Life and many 

others. 

Noise — 

Good for Boys B:i6 

Nonsense (apparent) — ■ 

K Ts, fun and Rest. 
Nonsense (real) — 

K Ts, [Ignorance] and Guess 
Work. 
Obedience to God — See Godliness. 

Obeying Mamma Quickly B:i3 

Obeying My Mother B:i4- 

Obliging — See politeness. 
Obstinacy — 

K Ts, Crossness, Temper, [Con- 
ceit] and Besetting Sins. 
Old Age- 
Study Godliness, Happiness, Rest, 
loveliness, Love, etc. 

Onesided Criticism 14:2 and 4 

Only a Smile 31:2 

Opinions- 
How Far Helpful? 19:1 and 2 

Need Correcting 58^2 and 51:1 

Why Honest Men Can Differ. . . : 16:1 
K Ts, Advice, Books, Gossip, 
Guess Work, Talking, Truth 
and Study. 
Opium- 
See Restlessness, The Easy Way, 
Besetting Sins and Burdens 
(esp. the last two). 
Opportunities— Section 44, 

Life Is Full of Them 44:* 

How to Start Up the Ladder 32:1 

K Ts; almost every page points 
out some. 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



5i 



Optimism {habitually hoping for the 
best and believing that %ood is 
overcoming evil.) — 
K Ts, Godliness, Goodness and 
insight, (esp. 26:6 and 29:5;) 
though often mixed in thought 
with much Guess Work and 
[Ignorance]. 
Also see pessimism. 
Overwork — 

"I've Got To" 60:1 and 56:1 

Why It Doesn't Pay 56:1 

Pain- 
See Burdens— Great and Small, 
Crossness, Misfortunes, Suffer- 
ing, Unhappiness, and some- 
thing on nearly every page. 
Papers — See Newspapers. 
Parents — See Children and Home. 
Partisanship — 
See Differences of Opinion. 

Partners With God 5:1 and 2 

Passion— 

K Ts, Temper, Loneliness and 
sexual sins. 
Patience — Section 45. 

Brings the Sunshine 45 :i 

How to Get God's Help. . .5:1 and 48:1 
How Patience Grows 45 :2 



2:3 
10:6 
16:1 
45:4 
32:1 

32:1 



How to Regain Your Self-Control 

Patience and Repentance Corner 

Patience as a Reconciler 

Kindred Topics 

Pay, — Poor Pay 

Peace of Mind- 
How to Get It 

Penetration — See "clear insight." 
Penitence — See repentance. 

Pepper— Too Much of It B7 

Perfect— Not Perfect; but Lovely.. 29:2 
Perplexity — 

What to Do When in Doubt 19:4 

K Ts, Guess Work, haste and 
Patience. 
Persuading — 

Danger of Talking Too Much 53:2 

K Ts, Talking, word-proofs, etc. 
Pessimism (believing that good can- 
not overcome evil, or at least is 
not doing it now) — 

For Key to Index See Page jg. 



Causes: too much haste, too much 
guess work, and loss of trust 
and insight. See esp. 26:6. 
Also see Guess Work, haste, in- 
sight and optimism. 
Pettiness (useless expenditure of 
time and thought on little things) 
See 37:3. 
Also see fussing and Little Things. 
Piety — See Godliness. 
Pity- 
Pitying a Wrong Doer 14:2 

K Ts, Kindness, Love and Suf- 
fering. 
Plans- 
God's Plans for Us 5:2 

Having Too Many Must-Be Plans 

60:1 and 15:1 
Play— Really One Kind of Work.. B:i5 

Playthings — Simple 10:1 

Pleasing Others — See politeness. 
Pleasure — 

Enjoying God 26:7 

Is the Right Way Always Pleas- 
ant? I97and 29:1 

Pleasure Seeking 29:4 

K Ts, Happiness, Cheerfulness 
and Thankfulness. 

Poisoning Your Own Life. 14:4 

Politeness — True Politeness 35:1 

Poor Health — See sickness. 



Poor Pay...: __. 32:1 

Poor People — See Poverty. 

Postponing— Section 46. 

Choosing the Easy Way 22:1 

Postponing the Study of a Thought 51:1 

What to Do When in Doubt 19:4 

When Proper; When Not 46:1 

Kindred Topics. 46:3 

Poverty — Section 47. 

Poverty and Happiness 47:1 

Kindred Topics 47 :2 

Power — 
K Ts, greatness and influence. 

Praising Children 10:2 

Prayer— Section 48. 

Going to God for Help 5:1 

Going to God for Forgiveness . . . 10:6 
Nearness to Christ 1 1 :i 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



Praying About Little Things 48:1 

Kindred Topics 48 :3 

Prejudice — 
For K Ts see Guess Work, Truth 
Misused (57:1) and Temper. 

Privileges — See blessings. 

Probability — 
What Is It Probably Best to Do. 19:2 
K Ts, Truth, opinion and logic. 

Procrastination {postponing unwise- 
ly)- 
See Postponing. 
Profanity — 
K Ts, Temper, Unhappiness and 
often [Conceit.] Also see Beset- 
ting Sins. 

Promises to Pay 6:2 

Promotion — How to Get It 32:1 

Promptness in Paying Debts 6:2 

Proof — See word-proof. 
Prosperity — See success. 
Prostitution — See sexual sins. 

Proverbs Book of (chap. 11:12) 14:2 

Providence — 

See Godliness and optimism. 
Psalm 7:11 and 37:3— see 2:1 and 

B: 3 - 
Pugnacity — 

K Ts, Temper and [Conceit). 
Punishment — 

God's Punishments 26:3 

Is at Times Necessary for Chil- 
dren 10:3 and 4 

But Often Unnecessary, or Too 

Severe 10:5 

A Pure Heart 8:2 

Putting Things Off- 
See Postponing. 
Quarrels — K Ts, Temper and mis- 
understandings. 
Questions— K T, Talking. 
Quibbling [dishonest evasion) — 

See evasion. 
Quickness- 
Quickness and Many Words Don't 

go Together 19:6 

Quickness and Skill, How to Com- 
bine Them 56:1 



Quick Temper— See Temper. 
Quiet— 
The Voice of Conscience is Al- 
ways Quiet 19:1 

Rashness — 
K Ts, Carelessness, haste, and 
Guess Work. 
Rationalism — 
See word-proof, negation, logic, 
Guess Work and "clear insight." 
Reading — See Books. 

Reason— See conscience, Right and 
Truth. 

Reasoning — 
See word-proof and logic. 

Rebuking — 

And Yet Loving 14:2 

Too Long 53 :2 

Too Persistently 10:5 

Too Sharply 10:5 

K Ts, Advice and Criticising. 

Recklessness — 
K Ts, Restlessness and Careless- 
ness. 

Recreation — K Ts, Rest and play. 

Rejoicing — 
K Ts, Happiness, Cheerfulness 
and pleasure. 

Reliability — See faithfulness. 

Religion — See Godliness. 

Remorse — 

K Ts, shame and disappointment. 

Repentance {a confession of wrong- 
doing, followed by a sincere striv- 
ing to do right) — 
See Doing Right and Doing Wrong. 

Repentance Corner — 

For Parents 10:6 

For Children 10:4 

Reproof — See rebuke. 

Research— K Ts, Study and Truth. 

Resentment — 
See Anger and Temper. 

Reserve — 
Too Much of It, a Sign of Weak- 
ness 53:1 

Respect— How to Get It 32:1 



For Key to Index See Page 39 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



33 



Rest— • Section 49- 

A Clear and Quiet Brain 49" 1 

Not Letting Your Work Drive You 60:1 

Rest at Evening 23:1 

Resting in God 26:5 

Taking Time to Rest 56:1 

Kindred Topics 49 : 3 

Restlessness— Section 50. 

Defined 5° :I 

"I Haven't Time" 56:1 

Its Cause and Cure 50:1 

Little Changes Often Help 19:4 

Kindred Topics 50:3 

Results — See Consequences. 

Revising Our Thoughts 51:1 

Rewards — 

See Consequences and praise. 

Rhetoric — 

How to Gain Vigor of Thought . . 51 :i 
How to Increase Its Power.. 57:2 & 51:1 

Riches — See wealth. 

Right— See Doing Right. 

Romans 8:28 

Sadness — K T, Suffering. 

Safety of God's Friends 

Sanctification — See holiness. 

Scandal — See Gossip. 

Science — See Truth and Study. 

Seed Thoughts 5 1 :2 

Seemingly Unbearable Burdens 

Selecting — : 

Selecting Companions for Life. . . 
Selecting Examples for Loving 

Study 

Selecting Occupations for Even- 
ing 

Selecting Subjects for Prayer 

Selecting Thoughts for Study... 

51:1 and 2 
Selecting Truth Wisely. . .57:1 and 4:1 

Selecting Work for Today. 

46:1 and 60:1 

Selecting Your Plans Wisely 

Section 19 

Self-Control — Some helps in keep- 
ing it are the following: 

A Desire to Be Just 2:3 and 54:1 

Doing for Others 9:1 and 2 



36:1 
36:1 



• 197 



13:1 



29:2 



23:1 



Less Guess Work 28:1 

More Love of Right Section 19 

More Trust in God Section 26 

Our Books of Remembrance 36:2 

Punishment Given in Love. . 10:4 and 3 
Self-Deception — 

' K Ts, Excuses and Guess Work. 
Self-Depreciation— 
Study carefully the list of topics 
given under blues. 
Self-Help— 

In Hard Times — See Hard Times 

and Poverty. 
In Life at Large — Scores of pas- 
sages. 
Self-Improvement — 
See Books, Character, Evenings, 
Home, Patience, Prayer (or ask- 
ing help), Study, Truth and 
many others. 

Self-indulgence 29:4 

Selfishness — 

In Business. 6:1 

In "One Little Thing" 58:3 

Crossness Tends to Degenerate 

Into It 10:4 

K Ts, Dishonesty, Wrong Doing 
and unkindness; Ingratitude, 
Temper and Carelessness; Be- 
setting Sins, Excuses and Un- 
happiness. 
Self-Sacrifice — 
For Our Own and Others' Larger 

Good 19:7 and 22:1 

Selling Kindling B :2 1 

Service — K Ts, Helping and Home. 
Severity — See punishment. 
Sexual Sins (in thought and action) 
Carefully study and apply the 
sections on Besetting Sins, Rest- 
lessness and Loneliness. Also 
study the sections on Happi- 
ness, Unhappiness and Prayer. 
Shame — 
K Ts, Unhappiness and [Self-Con- 

demnation]. 
Also study Happiness. 

Shining Lights B : I 

Shut the Door Bag 



For Key to Index See Page jg 



54 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



Sickness— 

K Ts, see Suffering, Rest, health, 

etc. 
Also topics like Patience, Happi- 
ness, Prayer, etc. 

Silence — 
At Times a Sign of Weakness. . . 53:1 
At Times a Source of Strength 19:2 & 6 
K T, Talking. 

Simply Yes or No 19:2 

Sin — 
See Doing Wrong and Besetting 
Sins. 

Sincerity — 
K Ts, True Kindness, 35:1, and A 
Pure Heart, 8:2. 

Singing to Baby. B:j8 

Skepticism — See infidelity. 

Slackness — See Carelessness. 

Slander — 

K Ts, Gossip and wrongs. 

Sleep- 
Early to Bed .., B:i7 



10:3 
26:5 



13:1 
31:2 



Sleepiness and Crossness ..... 

Sleeping Under God's Care. . . 

K T, Rest. 
Smallness (mental and moral)— 

See narrowness. 
Smartness and Beauty — 

No Proof of Loveliness ...... . 

Smiles — Only a Smile 

Smoking — 

Does it Pay ... , ...... 20 : 1 

Also see Restlessness. 
Smutty Talk — See sexual sins. 
Snappishness — See Crossness. 
Sociability— K T Talking. 
Social Problems— 

K Ts, Hints for Hard Times, Busi- 
ness, Poverty and Money. 
Solitude — 

Suggests Lonelines, Rest, Prayer 
Study and many other subjects. 

"Something Nice" B:5 

Sorrow — 

See Suffering and Mourners. 
Sourness — See Crossness. 



Speaking Kindly 14:1 and 35:1 

Spending Money Unwisely in Hard 

Times 32 :3 

Spirituality — 
K Ts, Godliness (Section 26), "clear 
insight (see index), and Love of 
Right (Section 19). 

Spite [petty hatred) — 

K Ts; Anger, Temper and selfish- 
ness. 

Sputtering— See Crossness. 

Starting Up the Ladder 32 M 

Sternness — 

God's Sternness 26:3 

Also see punishment. 

Stimulants — 

See "using alcoholic drinks," 
Also see narcotics. 

Stinginess— See Money. 

Stories About Jesus. .............. BmS 

Strength — See health. 

Struggles — 

See difficulties and Suffering. 

Stubbornness— See obstinacy. 

Study In General— Section 51. 

Books of Remembrance 36:2 

How and When to Use the Truth 

(and Not Use It) 571s 

-Keeping Thoughts for Study 51:1 

Seed Thoughts 51-2 

Spending Time on Little Things 37:3 
Studying Lovely Characters 29:2 & 36:2 
Studying the Things that are Al- 
ready Clearest 51:3 

When to Put It Off: When Not. . 46:1 
Kindred Topics 51:5 

Style— One Way of Perfecting It.. 51:1 

Success — , 

In Wrong Doing Does Not Satisfy 19:1 

Selfish Success Does Not Satisfy 6:1 

How to Make Sure of Success.. . 32:1 

Suffering— Section 52. 

The Bright Side of It 36:1 

Choosing the Easiest Way.. 22:1 

Dwelling on the Hard Things 52:2 

How to Get God's Help in Bear- 
ing It....... 5 : * 

Often Proves a Blessing 52.1 

Suffering for the Right 19:7 

Kindred Topics 5 2: 4 



For Key to Index See Page 3Q 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



Sullenness — 
"K Ts, Crossness and selfishness. 

Sunshine and Patience 45:1 

Supernatural, The Supernatural — 

See God. 
Superstition — 

K Ts, Guess Work and fear. 

Swapping Work 32:2 

Swearing — See profanity. 
Sympathy— 
K Ts, Love Kindness, Patience, 
justice, Helping, Home and ten- 
derness. 

Taciturnity 53:1 

Tact (in its higher forms) — 

K Ts, Wisdom (Sec. 19), Love 
and Patience. 

Taking Care of Papa B:ii 

Talking — Section 53. 

Talking Too Little 53:1 

Talking Too Long 53:2 

Talking Too Much, a Sign of 

Weakness 53:1 

Talking (and Thinking) Too 
Much, a Source of Weakness. . 19:6 

Talking with Mamma B:i8 

The Tones of the Voice 35:1 

The Tongue 53:3 

Smutty Talk — See sexual sins. 

Kindred Topics 53:5 

Taming a Quick Temper 54:1 

Teaching — 

(Something on almost every page.) 
Temper — Section 54. 

Fighting It Gut the Same Day. . . 2:2 
Helps in Regaining Your Self- 

Control When Angry 2:3 

How to Tame a Quick Temper.. 54:1 

Two Fools instead of One 54:2 

Kindred Topics 54:4 

Temperance — 

See "using alcoholic drinks." 
Temptation — 

K Ts, Guess Work, Restlessness, 
Besetting Sins, Excuses and 
Doing Wrong, 
Tenderness — 

In God's Dealings 26:3 

In Parental Discipline 10:4 and 3 



With Discouraged People 17:1 

Also see Kindness. 
Thankfulness — Section 55. 

For Our Little Blessings 55:1 

Kindred Topics 55:2 

Theism — See Section 26, esp. 26:6. 
Theory — 

Mere Theory Not a Safe Guide. . 

19:1 and 2 
Needs Correcting and Complet- 
ing in Real Life 58:2 

Thinking — 

Thinking of Others B:i9 

For other references see thought. 

Those Who Have Gone Before 43:1 

Thought — ■ 
Calls attention to a thing; but 
cannot properly settle a ques- 
tion of duty 19:1 and 58:2 

Untimely Thought Hinders Right 

Action 19:6 

Keeping Thoughts for Study.. 51:1 & 2 

Seed Thoughts 5 1 :2 

Thoughtfulness— 
Thinking of Others (Children's 

Corner) B : 19 

K Ts, Kindness, Love, and in an- 
other sense, thought. 
Thoughtlessness — 
(A Mixture of Guess Work and 
haste.) 
Thrift— K Ts, Poverty, Hints for 

Hard Times, and others. 
Time Using— Section 56. 

Doing Too Much 60:1 

"I Haven't Time"; or False Econ- 
omy 56:1 

A Minute a Day 37:2 

Spending Time on Little Things 37:3 

Time versus Money 32:3 

Using Idle Moments ... 32:3 

Kindred Topics 56:3 

Timidity— See fear. 
Tired People— See Rest. 

Tomorrow's Burdens 5 :3 

Tones— 

The'Tones of Your Voice 35:1 

Tongue — Your Tongue 53:3 

Too Little— 

Too Little Kindness 35:1 



For Kty to Index See Page jg 



56 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



Too Little Nearness to Christ... n:i 
Too Little Rest, See overwork and 
Rest. 

Too Little Sleep 10:3 

Too Little Talk! 53:1 

Too Little Trust 59:1 

Too Many Plans 15:1 

Too Much— 

Too Much Advice 17:1 and 53:2 

Too Much Criticising 14:3 and 4 

Too Much Guess Work. .28:1 and 26:6 
Too Much Love of Money. . 6:1 & 42:1 

Too Much Of a Good Thing 57:1 

Too Much Reading 4:2 

Too Much Talking. 53:1 and 2 and 19:6 
Too Much Work, See overwork. 

Too Much Wrath 54:2 

And many others. 

Toys — Real Value of 10:1 

Tracy, C. C. (quoted) 26:5 

Training Children — See Children. 

Trials— See Suffering. 

Trifles— See Little Things. 

Trouble— See Suffering. 

Trueness — Is Never in Vain 24:1 

Trust in God — 

How to Get More 26:6 

Trusting and Doing B:3 

Also see distrust. 

Truth — Section 57. 

Apparent Confusion In 19:5 

How and When to Use It 57:1 

How Honest Men Can Differ 16:1 

How to Increase Its Power 57:2 

True Gossip 27:1 

Using It Unwisely 57:1 

A Word of Cheer to Truth Lovers 57:3 
Kindred Topics 57:5 

Truth Lovers — 

A Word of Cheer for 57:3 

Trying— 

Really Trying to Do Right Al- 
ways Makes Us Happier 29:1 

Two Fools Instead of One 54:2 

Unaccountable Crossness 10:3 

Unbearable Burdens 19:7 

Unbelief — See doubt and infidelity. 



Uncertainty — 

See doubt and certainty. 

Unconscious Imitation 29:2 

Unconscious Influence 24:1 

Unconscious Progress 19:4, last part 

Uneasiness— 

K Ts, Restlessness and pain. 
Unemployed — 

See Hints for Hard Times. 



Unhappiness — 



Section 58. 



Casting the Blame on Others. 



58 



"One Little Thing" 58 

Unhappy Christians. 58 

You are Doing Wrong Yourself. . 58:1 

Kindred Topics 58:4 

Unjust Criticism — 

See under Criticising. 
Unkindness — 

K Ts, Temper and, generally, 
Anger; Gossip and Excuses; 
thoughtlessness and selfishness; 
and, far too often, Business and 
Criticising. 
For Unkind Jokes see 40.1. 
Unnecessaries — 

Unnecessary Burdens 5:1 and 3 

Criticising 14:3 and 4 

Exhaustion 60:1 

Fear of God 26:2 

Fullness 53:2 

Reading 4:2 

Unhappiness 58:1 

Unpleasant Duties 19:7 

Unreasonableness — 

Study carefully Right and Wrong. 

Unrest — 

See Restlessness and overwork. 

Unselfishness — 

In Business 6:1 

In Life at Large 9:1 

Should Early be Taught Children 10:2 
Is Sometimes Unwise 35:2 

Unsuccessful — See failure. 

Unwise [wrong, though not inten- 
tionally so) — 

Does It Pay? 20:1 

Unwise in "One Little Thing"... 58:3 
Study carefully the section on 
Doing Right. 



For Key to Index See Page 39 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



57 



Uppishness — 

• K Ts, Crossness and [Conceit]. 

Usefulness — Love and Usefulness, 

How Related 31:1 snd 29:5 

Using Alcoholic Drinks — 

Study carefully Restlessness, Bur- 
dens and Besetting Sins (espe- 
cially the last two); also Happi- 
ness and Unhappiness. 

Vexation — See annoyances. 

Vice — See Doing Wrong. 

Vigor — See health. 

Virtue — 

See Doing Right. 
Also sexual sins. 

Visionary {building great hopes and 
plans on guess work) — 
See Guess Work. 

Voice — Is Your Voice Kind? 35:1 

Wages — 

Poor Wages Better Than None. . 32:1 

Waiting — 

Profitable Waiting 5:2 

Also see Postponing. 

Walking In the Dark 19:4 last part 

Want- 
See Poverty and Hard Times. 

Washing Dishes B:io 

Watchfulness Section 59. 

(The book is full of it.) 

Doing Little Things Heartily 37:3 

How to Get More Trust in God. . 26:6 

Just What Is God's Part? 5:2 

Our Partnership with God 5:1 

Watchfulness and Worry 59:1 

Why We so Often Miss Our Op- 
portunities 44:1 

Kindred Topics 59:3 

Wavering — See irresolution. 

Ways of Learning — 
Learning By Day and By Night. 23:1 

Learning By Patience 45:2 

Learning By Suffering 52:1 

Learning By the Successes of 

Others 24:2 

Learning From Books 4:1 

Learning From Fools and Ene- 
mies 1:1 



Learning From God 26:3 and 7 

Learning From Wise Men 

29:2 and 24:2 

Learning at Home 8:1 and 33:1 

Learning When Young 10:2 

Weakness — 
God Remembers Our Weakness. 26.2 

God is Willing to Help Us 48:1 

Our Weakness Without God's 
Help 26:1 and 19:3 

Wealth- 
Alone Can Not Satisfy 6:1 

Loveliness First, Money Second. . 42:1 
K Ts, Money and Poverty. 

Weariness- 
See Rest and blues. 

Whereto Begin 8:1 

Why— When Not to Ask It 19:6 

Will it Pay? 20:1 

Willfulness - 

K Ts, Unhappiness and obstinacy. 

Willingly — 

Doing Right Willingly. . . 19:7 and 29:5 

Wisdom — 

One of the Results of Doing Right 29:5 
Also see sections on Doing Right 
and Truth. 

Wishes — 

Impatient Wishes 50:1 

Mistaken Wishes 35:2 

Proper Wishes Improperly 

Worked Out 29:4 

Wishing and Growing 31:1 

K T, trying. 

Wit — see fun. 

Words- 
Words Not Enough 35:1 

K Ts, thought, word-proof, etc. 

Word Proof- 
Is Not Always Necessary. . . 19:6 and 1 
Not a Safe Guide in the Actual 
Decision of Matters of Conduct 

19:2 and 58:2 
Also see arguments and discus- 



For Key to Index See Page jq 



5 8 



INDEX TO THE BETTER WAY 



Work — Section 60. 

Choosing Your Work in Too Great 

a Hurry 56:1 

Finding Happiness in Your Work 29:3 

"It Must Be Done" 60:1 

Shall I Choose the Easiest? 22:1 

Shall the Children Work? 10:2 

Swapping Work 32:2 

Work and Play, How Related.. B:i5 

Work in Heaven 30:1 

Working for Poor Pay 32:1 

Working for Music Lessons B:22 

Kindred Topics 60:3 



Worry Explained 59:1 

Writing Down Thoughts for Future 

Study 51:1 and 2 

Writing Desk— Johnnie's B:6 

Wrong Doing — See Doing Wrong. 
Wrong Things That Look Right . . 20:1 

Yes and No 19:2 

Yielding to Temptation — 

See temptation. 
Zeal— Misdirected 59:1 and 5:1 



For Key to Index See Page jq 



The Better Wa 

-OR— 

Lessons in Wisdom, Truth and Love 
A BOOK OF SIMPLE HELPS 

FOR MOMENTS OF NEED 



BY W. H. WHEELER 






Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said: "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst 
after righteousness, for they shall be filled." 



OFFICE OF THE BETTER WAY 
Grinnell, Iowa 

Price, 25 Cents 
For further Explanations, see Preface 



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